1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main idea of the passage?(A) Despite extensive evidence that native populations had been burning North and South American forests extensively before 1492, some scholars persist in claiming that such burning was either infrequent or the result of natural causes.
(B) In opposition to the widespread belief that in 1492 the Western Hemisphere was uncultivated, scholars unanimously agree that native populations were substantially altering North and South American forests well before the arrival of Europeans.
(C) Although some scholars minimize the scope and importance of the burning of forests engaged in by native populations of North and South America before 1492, evidence of the frequency and impact of such burning is actually quite extensive.
(D) Where scholars had once believed that North and South American forests remained uncultivated until the arrival of Europeans, there is now general agreement that native populations had been cultivating the forests since well before 1492.
(E) While scholars have acknowledged that North and South American forests were being burned well before 1492, there is still disagreement over whether such burning was the result of natural causes or of the deliberate actions of native populations.
2. It can be inferred that a forest burned as described in the passage would have been LEAST likely to display(A) numerous types of hardwood trees
(B) extensive herbaceous undergrowth
(C) a variety of fire-tolerant plants
(D) various stages of ecological maturity
(E) grassy openings such as meadows or glades
3. Which one of the following is a type of forest identified by the author as a product of controlled burning in recent times?(A) scrub oak forests in the southeastern U.S.
(B) slash pine forests in the southeastern U.S.
(C) pine forests in Guatemala at high elevations
(D) pine forests in Mexico at high elevations
(E) pine forests in Nicaragua at low elevations
4. Which one of the following is presented by the author as evidence of controlled burning in the tropics before the arrival of Europeans?(A) extensive homogeneous forests at high elevation
(B) extensive homogeneous forests at low elevation
(C) extensive heterogeneous forests at high elevation
(D) extensive heterogeneous forests at low elevation
(E) extensive sedimentary charcoal accumulations at high elevation
5. With which one of the following would the author be most likely to agree?(A) The long-term effects of controlled burning could just as easily have been caused by natural fires.
(B) Herbaceous undergrowth prevents many forests from reaching full maturity.
(C) European settlers had little impact on the composition of the ecosystems in North and South America.
(D) Certain species of plants may not have been as widespread in North America without controlled burning.
(E) Nicaraguan pine forests could have been created either by natural fires or by controlled burning.
6. As evidence for the routine practice of forest burning by native populations before the arrival of Europeans, the author cites all of the following EXCEPT:(A) the similar characteristics of fires in different regions
(B) the simultaneous presence of forests at varying stages of maturity
(C) the existence of herbaceous undergrowth in certain forests
(D) the heavy accumulation of charcoal near populous settlements
(E) the presence of meadows and glades in certain forests
7. The “succession” mentioned in line 57 refers to(A) forest clearing followed by controlled burning of forests
(B) tropical rain forest followed by pine forest
(C) European settlement followed by abandonment of land
(D) homogeneous pine forest followed by mixed hardwoods
(E) pine forests followed by established settlements
8. The primary purpose of the passage is to(A) refute certain researchers’ views
(B) support a common belief
(C) counter certain evidence
(D) synthesize two viewpoints
(E) correct the geographical record