LSAT 114 | Section 3 | Reading Comprehension: Q8

RC Question 8 Explanation

DISCUSSION: The main point of the passage is to argue against the researchers mentioned in the first paragraph. The author argues that natives did affect forests by burning them.

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1. CORRECT. Specifically, the skeptics mentioned at the end of the first paragraph. 
2. The common belief is that the Americas were virgin nature when Europeans arrived. This is mentioned in lines 1-4. 
3. What evidence is being countered? The skeptical researchers in lines 8-15 don’t show any evidence to support their views.
4. Which two viewpoints? There are only two presented. There is the opposing viewpoint, and the author’s own viewpoint: natives did sculpt the forests using fire.
5. It isn’t the geographical record that needs correcting. The record is clear that natives burnt forests. It’s the common myth (lines 1-4) and the opinions of certain researchers (lines 8-15) that need correcting.