Set 6: Cross-Text Connections
Explanation
PASSAGE
Text 1 The 'tragedy of the commons' occurs when individuals, acting in their own self-interest, deplete a shared resource. Examples include overfishing and deforestation. Text 2 Elinor Ostrom's research challenges the inevitability of this tragedy. She found that local communities often develop their own complex rules and social norms to manage shared resources sustainably without external regulation.
How does Text 2 refute the pessimism of the theory in Text 1?
Detailed Answer Explanation
This question asks you to compare perspectives from two passages. Text 1: Inevitable depletion (Tragedy). Text 2: Ostrom found communities manage sustainably (Rules/Norms). Refutation: Not inevitable. Understanding how the authors relate to each other's views is essential. Identify whether they agree, disagree, or address different aspects of the topic. Focus on their specific claims and conclusions. When comparing texts, first identify each author's thesis or main argument. Then determine how these positions interact: do they complement each other, contradict each other, or address different aspects of the same issue? The relationship between texts reveals deeper meaning.
Key Evidence:
• "challenges the inevitability"
• "develop ... complex rules ... sustainably"
Why others are wrong: A (Rules manage interest.), D (Text 1 gives examples.), C (Without external regulation.).
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