In the third paragraph, the author discusses the role of asteroid strikes in mass extinctions primarily to A
undermine the value of expert judgments offered by paleontologists
B
challenge a generalization made by certain astronomers
С
suggest that volcanic eruptions are more destructive than asteroid strikes
D
explain why volcanic eruptions are more common than asteroid strikes
E
acknowledge the merits of a position that he rejects

b. challenge a certain generalization. i think.

Explanation:

like many students at university, you may be unhappy about the results you attain in exams. you may feel that even with all you are doing there must be something more -- or different-- you could be doing to get better grades. we have all at some time or other heard of that student who only studies a couple of hours for final exams and scores a's every time. we stand in awe of those who seem to breeze through without undue effort and seem to need very little in the way of studying to nail an exam. the reasons for success, in what i think are the vast majority of cases, are less esoteric than many students think: successful students consistently apply a series of productive strategies with view to attaining clearly identified learning and grade goals throughout the academic term.