Which best describes how ice cores are analyzed and interpreted by scientists? D. Layers of ice in
the middle are older
than the layers of
ice at the top and
bottom.
C. Layers of ice at
the top are older
than layers of ice at
the bottom.
A. Layers of ice in a
particular ice core
are all of the same
age.
B. Layers of ice at
the bottom are
older than layers of
ice at the top.

Ecologist: the scottish highlands were once the site of extensive forests, but these forests have mostly disappeared and been replaced by peat bogs. the common view is that the highlands’ deforestation was caused by human activity, especially agriculture. however, [agriculture began in the highlands less than 2,000 years ago]. peat bogs, which consist of compressed decayed vegetable matter, build up by only about one footper 1,000 years and, [throughout the highlands, remains of trees in peat bogs are almost all at depths great than four feet]. since climate changes that occurred between 7,000 and 4,000 years ago favored the development of peat bogs rather than the survival of forests, the deforestation was more likely the result of natural processes than of human activity. in the ecologist’s argument the two portions in [parenthesis] play which of the following roles? a. the first is evidence that has been used in support of a position that the ecologist rejects; the second is a finding that the ecologist uses to counter that evidence. b. the first is evidence that, in light of the evidence provided in the second, serves as grounds for the ecologist’s rejection of a certain position. c. the first is a position that the ecologist rejects; the second is evidence that has been used in support of that position. d. the first is a position that the ecologist rejects; the second provides evidence in support of that rejection. e. the first is a position for which the ecologist argues; the second provides evidence to support that position.