Question

determining evidence to build an argument
read this press release about the results of a two-year study by colorado state university.
which piece of evidence is most helpful to support a claim opposed to prescribed burning?
○ fires behave differently, and it is hard to create the same fire experiment twice.
○ the burned area had a healthier and more diverse ecosystem.
○ the dominant plants were thinned to make room for other species.
○ naturally occurring fires may have thinned the area before humans settled there.

Explanation:

To support opposition to prescribed burning, evidence must highlight a flaw or risk. Option A notes fire behavior variability, making experiments hard to replicate—undermining the reliability of prescribed burning’s safety/effectiveness claims. Options B and C support prescribed burning (beneficial ecosystem effects), while D is irrelevant to opposing it.

Answer:

A. Fires behave differently, and it is hard to create the same fire experiment twice.