Q11 - The goal of reforesting degraded land is to create

[ohthatpatrick]

Question Type:
Explain/Resolve

Stimulus Breakdown:
The goal of reforesting is a multitude of thriving tree species. BUT .... Some reforesters method is to plant a single, but fast-growing, tree species.

Answer Anticipation:
"How does planting a SINGLE (fast growing) species lead to us getting a MULTITUDE of species?" We don't have to actually guess answers on Explain/Resolve questions, but I want to show off what I *think* I might know about nature ... Does the fast growing species create enough shade or leaf litter for other species that prefer those conditions?

Correct Answer:
D

Answer Choice Analysis:
(A) This is close to what I was guessing. But I need to hear more specifically that OTHER trees will grow in there after the first one does.

(B) Not even close. We don't care WHY their goal is a multitude. We're just confused with HOW they're hoping to accomplish their goal.

(C) "Native" is out of scope.

(D) YES. Not quite either of my predictions, but the first species brings in the wildlife that facilitates other species of trees. Specifically, it sounds like the wildlife come to visit our fast-growing single species but unknowingly drop tree seeds from surrounding areas, leading to other species of trees growing.

(E) Cool facts, (E)! It's a shame they have nothing to do with teling us how a single species can lead to a multitude of species.

Takeaway/Pattern: The reason I usually counsel my students AGAINST making predicted answers on Explain/Resolve is that the real answer is often hard to predict, and if we get too attached to our predictions, we might not think flexibly enough about the options actually presented.

#officialexplanation