Bunuel
Why save endangered species? For the general pubic, endangered species appear to be little more than biological oddities. A very different perception is gained from considering the issue of extinction in a wider context . The important point is that many major social advances have been made on the basis of life forms whose worth would never have been perceived in advance. Consider the impact of rubber-producing plants on contemporary life and industry; approximately two-thirds of the world’s rubber supply comes from rubber-producing plants and is made into objects as rubber washers and rubber boots.The author’s point is made chiefly byA. acknowledging the validity of two opposing points of view.B. appealing to the emotions of the audience rather than to their intellects .C. suggesting a useful perspective for viewing the question raised at the beginning of the passage.D. Trying to discredit the view of an opponent without presenting an alternative hypotheses.E. Generalizing from similar to dissimilar cases.
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The passage suggests that considering the possibility of extinction with an eye toward the possible utility of a previously unvalued species will lead to a different answer to the question than considering the possibility of extinction from a more general perspective.
C describes the author’s procedure of suggesting a new perspective and is thus the correct answer. The first choice is incorrect. The author argues that it is important to preserve endangered species without endorsing any opposing point of view. The view attributed to the general public is not accepted; rather, an argument is given to show what that view misses. B is incorrect. The author uses an approach that is primarily factual, and does not seek to arouse the emotions of its audience. D is also incorrect. The author tries to undermine an opposing position by presenting an alternative to it. The last answer choice is incorrect. The generalization about the potential value of life forms whose value was not perceived in advance is supported by an example of a similar case, namely that of rubber plants