The author discusses “the standard view” (line 14 )

Geese can often be seen grazing in coastal salt marshes. Unfortunately, their intense grazing removes the grassy covering, exposing marsh sediment; this increases evaporation, which in turn increases salt concentration in marsh sediments. Because of this increased concentration, regrowth of plants is minimal, leading to increased erosion, which leads to a decrease in the fertile topsoil, leading to even less regrowth. In time, the salt marsh becomes a mudflat. This process challenges one of the most widely held beliefs about the dynamics of salt-marsh ecosystems: supposedly, consumers such as geese do not play a large role in controlling the productivity of marsh systems. Rather, the standard view claims, marshes are controlled by bottom-up factors, such as nutrients and physical factors. The author discusses “the standard view” (line 14) most likely in order to identify a view that explains the occurrence of the chain of events described in the passage, provides a summary of the chain of events described in the passage, is called into question by the chain of events described in the passage, advocates reassessment of the widely held belief described in the passage, is undermined by the widely held belief described in the passage

2 Explanations

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Md. Sajedul Sakir

cay anyone explain why E is not answer?

Sep 23, 2018 • Comment

David Recine

I'll be happy to help. (E) is a tempting answer, because the "standard view" is undermined. However, the standard view is NOT undermined by any "widely held belief." Why? Because the standard view IS the widely held belief, and obviously a view doesn't undermine itself.

You can see this because the passage first says that the effect of geese on marshes "challenges one of the most widely held beliefs." It then goes on to say that this belief indicates that animals "such as geese do not play a large roll in... controlling marsh systems." The passage then continues that "the standard view" says that marshes are controlled by "bottom up" factors other than animals. So "the standard view" agrees with the widely held belief. Both the view and the belief say that something other than animals control marshes.

And since "the standard view" is described immediately after the "widely held belief," it can be seen as a restatement of the belief, and an extension of it.

Does that make sense? Certainly let me know if you have any other questions. :)

Oct 3, 2018 • Reply

Sunmeet Singh Sethi

Hi David,
In between both of the sentences, which you mentioned above, "rather" has been placed. I understood the meaning in the following way that the most widely held belief is that geese play a minor role in the productivity of marsh systems and since rather is used as a contrast, the standard view opposes the widely held belief. Hence, I chose E.

Please explain, where did I go wrong?

Oct 8, 2019 • Reply

Sam Kinsman

Let's take a look at the two sentences. First, we are told that the widely held belief is the following:

"supposedly, consumers such as geese do not play a large role in controlling the productivity of marsh systems."

Then, the passage says:

"Rather, the standard view claims, marshes are controlled by bottom-up factors, such as nutrients and physical factors."

Here, the word "rather" is used as if we were saying "instead." So we are told that the widely held belief is that geese do NOT play an important role in the ecosystem. Instead, the widely held belief proposes that marshes are controlled by "bottom up factors," like nutrients and physical factors.

So we could summarize those last two sentences in the paragraph like this:

The widely held belief:

1. Says that geese are NOT important to the ecosystem
2. Says that marshes are controlled by "bottom up factors" like nutrients and physical factors

I hope this clarifies! :)

Oct 16, 2019 • Reply

ali ABDEEN

but when you say rather you are not refuting the widely held beliefe ?

Nov 29, 2019 • Reply

Adam

No, "rather" isn't refuting the widely held belief. The widely held belief is in two parts. First, consumers don't have a large role. Second, bottom-up factors do have a large role. So, "rather" sets up the contrast *within* the widely held belief, which claims that bottom-up factors, not consumers, play a large role.

Dec 1, 2019 • Reply

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Chris Lele

Sep 21, 2012 • Comment

Vaibhav P

could u explain me why answer choice D is not its answer?

Sep 11, 2016 • Reply

Cydney Seigerman, Magoosh Tutor

Hi Satish :)

Happy to clarify. First, the question stem reads:

"The author discusses “the standard view” (line 14) most likely in order to identify a view that"

In the question, "a view" refers to the standard view. It's true that the standard view that "marshes are controlled by bottom-up factors" greatly contrasts what is actually observed as described in the passage. However, the author doesn't directly push or advocate for the reevaluation of the standard view. They simply note the difference. At the same time, (D) is stating the opposite of what the passage does: the standard view does not put what is described in the passage into question. Rather, the passage describes an observation that questions the standard view. Therefore (D) is not correct.

Does that make sense? I hope this helps!

Sep 14, 2016 • Reply