Although his younger students greeted the new practice with enthusiasm, the “old guard” had staked their reputations on the belief in miasmas. Which type of connection does the author make between the ideas in this sentence?

Answer 1

The author makes a contrastive connection between two groups of people: the younger students and the "old guard." The younger students represent a new, progressive approach that welcomes a new practice, suggesting openness to change and new ideas. In contrast, the "old guard" represents established beliefs rooted in the outdated idea of miasmas, indicating resistance to change and a reliance on traditional views. This contrast highlights the tension between innovation and tradition, as well as the generational divide in accepting new concepts.