Attitude Item with a Qualified Endorsement
Item 42 asks for the author's attitude toward assisted migration, the practice of moving endangered trees north as the climate warms. The passage describes the practice neutrally for four sentences, then concludes: 'Moving species is a gamble, and the histories of invasive introductions urge restraint. Still, for trees that cannot migrate fast enough, a carefully monitored translocation may be the least bad option - provided that it is treated as a last resort, not a license for development.' The student chooses 'strongly opposed' because of 'gamble' and 'invasive introductions.' The key says 'cautiously supportive.' He explains that he ignored the last sentence because it was long and because 'least bad' sounded negative. Six minutes remain, and two easier vocabulary items are still unanswered.
1. Identify the evaluative language and explain why the attitude is cautiously supportive rather than opposed.
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The attitude is cautiously supportive. The concluding sentence carries three markers. 'Still' reverses the caution that precedes it, so the author does not remain opposed. 'May be the least bad option' is a double hedge: 'may' withholds certainty, and 'least bad' endorses reluctantly rather than enthusiastically. 'Provided that it is treated as a last resort' adds a condition, which further limits the support. Earlier, 'gamble' and 'the histories of invasive introductions urge restraint' are cautions that set up the concession, not declarations of opposition. 'Strongly opposed' would require a recommendation against translocation; the author instead allows it under conditions. 'Enthusiastic' would require unqualified praise and would ignore 'gamble' and 'last resort.' The correct option mirrors the hedges: cautious support, guarded approval, qualified endorsement.
2. How should he handle attitude items in the last six minutes?
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Read the last two sentences first; attitude is usually asserted there, not in the descriptive middle. Circle evaluative words and markers: still, yet, however, although, may, provided that, last resort. Then match intensity. Eliminate any option stronger than the text: 'strongly opposed' exceeds 'urge restraint,' and 'enthusiastic' exceeds 'may be the least bad option.' Do not choose an option because it feels morally responsible; 'opposed' feels cautious given invasive species, but the final clause is permissive. In the remaining six minutes, answer the attitude item before the vocabulary items because it depends on one or two sentences and can be verified quickly. Then return to vocabulary with the remaining time. Changing an attitude answer without a marker is usually a mistake.