Strategy Guide 7: Chapter 8. Pg 113. Q1,2

[birmsookim]

I cant understand how B at No.1 and D at No. 2 are correct answers. I think, in logic, when the answer of No.2 is D, then the answer of No.1 should be A.

The reason is that the primary concern of the passage is "Describing the various discoveries made concerning the possibility of life on Mars", so the author's stance on the possibility of live on Mars can be best be described as "optimistic".

Is it correct reasoning about the two problems?

[tommywallach]

Hey Birm,

I don't see how "describing discoveries made concerning a possibility" is in any way optimistic. Optimism means "hopeful and confident about the future." The author never expresses a "hope" or "confidence" that there is life on Mars. The author merely reports on data, some of which is said to bolster the claims of people who think their might be life on Mars. The author does not have a personal stake in that particular theory.

Hope that helps!

-t