Question

what theme emerges in muirs opening lines of this excerpt: \thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life\?

yellowstone has incredible natural resources that can support civilization.
nature can heal the damage that human society and technology causes each individual.
the quest for eternal life should begin in national parks like yellowstone.
death is a natural part of the life cycle.

Explanation:

Analyze the quote's key terms

The quote describes "tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people" finding that "going to the mountains is going home" and that wildness is a "necessity" and "fountains of life." This contrasts the damaging effects of modern civilization with the restorative, healing power of nature.

Evaluate the answer choices

• Option 1 focuses on natural resources supporting civilization, which contradicts Muir's emphasis on nature as a spiritual necessity rather than just a material resource.
• Option 2 directly addresses how nature heals the damage ("tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized") caused by human society to individuals.
• Option 3 takes "fountains of life" too literally as a quest for eternal life.
• Option 4 discusses death, which is not the focus of this passage.

Select the best option

Option 2 is the most accurate representation of the theme of natural restoration and healing.

Answer:

• (A) Yellowstone has incredible natural resources that can support civilization.
• (B) Nature can heal the damage that human society and technology causes each individual. (Correct answer)
• (C) The quest for eternal life should begin in National Parks like Yellowstone.
• (D) Death is a natural part of the life cycle.