<p>the amazon rain forest remained – for years because its soils were unsuitable for agriculture and because endemic diseases such as malaria and yellow fever – most settlers.
A) pristine… deterred
B) inaccessible… thwarted</p>
<p>Why is A a better choice than B?
The definitions of the words in B fit into the blanks.
why?..</p>
<p>A is a better choice because whether the soils are suitable for agriculture or not and whether there are diseases or not have nothing to do with how accessible or inaccessible the rain forest is. However, the poor agricultural prospects and plentiful diseases keep settlers out and also keep the forest pristine and unharmed by human activity. </p>
<p>“soils unsuitable for agriculture” would make the rain forest undesirable, not inaccessible. Even the diseases wouldn’t make it inaccessible.</p>
<p>Lakes of molten lava might make a place inaccessible. Or giant flesh-eating birds. </p>
<p>Yes–beware of flesh-eating birds.</p>