Reading Test

Answers and Explanations for Questions 38 through 47

The following are explanations of answers to questions 38 through 47. The heading of each explanation is hyperlinked to the actual question. In addition, each explanation is followed by two hyperlinks: one to the question explained and one to the next question.

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Explanation for question 38.

Choice D is the best answer. Sentence 2 of paragraph 2 in Passage 1 explains that, although some extinct species can be brought back to life (follow link), “Only species whose D N A is too old to be recovered, such as dinosaurs, are the ones to consider totally extinct, bodily and genetically.” The determining factor is the length of time that species has been extinct.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because sentence 2 of paragraph 2 in Passage 1 (follow link) explicitly states that only D N A that is “too old to be recovered” determines whether a species can be brought back to life, not the amount of time scientists devote to genetic research, the relationship between an extinct species and contemporary ecosystems, or how complex a species’ D N A might be.

Link back to question 38.

Link back to question 39.

Explanation for question 39.

Choice B is the best answer. Sentence 2 of paragraph 2 in Passage 1 (follow link) states that species that have D N A that is “too old to be recovered” cannot be brought back to life.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not indicate any limits to de-extinction technology. Choice A is incorrect because sentence 1 of paragraph 2 in Passage 1 (follow link) explains only that the use of D N A can lead to certain species being brought back to life. Choices C and D are incorrect because sentence 2 of paragraph 3 in Passage 1 (follow link) and sentences 3 and 4 of paragraph 3 in Passage 1 (follow link) explain some challenges to bringing back certain species but do not explain the limits to de-extinction technology.

Link back to question 39.

Link back to question 40.

Explanation for question 40.

Choice D is the best answer. Sentence 4 of paragraph 5 in Passage 1 explains that “Just the thought of mammoths and passenger pigeons alive again invokes the awe and wonder that drives all conservation at its deepest level” (follow link). The author of Passage 1 is suggesting that the “prospect of de-extinction” (follow link to sentence 1 of paragraph 5) evokes the same emotions of “awe and wonder” that propel conservation efforts at its deepest, or most fundamental, level.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in this context the “deepest” level of conservation does not mean the most engrossing level, most challenging level, or most extensive level.

Link back to question 40.

Link back to question 41.

Explanation for question 41.

Choice B is the best answer. “Shrinking biodiversity” means the loss of species, and the authors of Passage 2 clearly state that shrinking biodiversity is a global issue: “Species today are vanishing in such great numbers—many from hunting and habitat destruction—that the trend has been called a sixth mass extinction, an event on par with such die-offs as the one that befell the dinosaurs 65 million years ago” (follow link to sentence 4 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2). Labeling this loss of diversity a “mass extinction,” shows that the authors believe this situation is serious and widespread.

Choice A is incorrect because the passage states the current loss of biodiversity would be a “sixth” mass extinction, indicating that the occurrence is far from an anomaly (or abnormality). Choices C and D are incorrect because the authors of Passage 2 do not primarily present the shrinking biodiversity as a scientific curiosity or a political problem.

Link back to question 41.

Link back to question 42.

Explanation for question 42.

Choice A is the best answer. Sentence 4 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2 (follow link) labels the shrinking biodiversity as a global catastrophe, as it is “a sixth mass extinction, an event on par with such dieoffs as the one that befell the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.” Labeling this loss of diversity a “mass extinction” implies the authors’ belief that this shrinking biodiversity is serious and widespread.

Choices B, C, and D do not explain the authors’ opinions on shrinking biodiversity. Choices B and C are incorrect because sentence 5 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2 (follow link) and sentence 3 of paragraph 7 in Passage 2 (follow link) describe what the authors view as possible problems with deextinction. Choice D is incorrect because sentence 4 of paragraph 8 in Passage 2 (follow link) provides one reason to continue with deextinction programs.

Link back to question 42.

Link back to question 43.

Explanation for question 43.

Choice C is the best answer. Sentence 4 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2 (follow link) states that “species today are vanishing in such great numbers” that the loss of these species is considered a “sixth mass extinction.” In this context, there is a “great,” or large, number of species at risk of extinction.

Choice A, B, and D are incorrect because in this context, “great,” does not mean lofty, wonderful, or intense.

Link back to question 43.

Link back to question 44.

Explanation for question 44.

Choice C is the best answer. The authors of Passage 2 suggest that deextinction may “help save endangered species.” (follow link to sentence 2 of paragraph 8 in Passage 2). Sentence 3 of paragraph 8 in Passage 2 provides an example of how de-extinction could be beneficial (follow link): “For example, extinct versions of genes could be reintroduced into species and subspecies that have lost a dangerous amount of genetic diversity, such as the blackfooted ferret and the northern white rhino.” In this context, the blackfooted ferret and northern white rhino are used as examples of species that have lost genetic diversity; in other words, they are species whose gene pools have been compromised.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because sentence 3 of paragraph 8 in Passage 2 (follow link) clearly identifies the black-footed ferret and the northern white rhino as species whose gene pools have been compromised. They are not highlighted to emphasize any difference between extinct and living species, to explain why the numbers of some animals are dwindling, or to describe species that failed to adapt to new environments.

Link back to question 44.

Link back to question 45.

Explanation for question 45.

Choice B is the best answer. Passage 1 enthusiastically supports the idea of deextinction, saying it is “profound news. That something as irreversible and final as extinction might be reversed is a stunning realization” (follow link to sentences 1 and 2 of paragraph 5 in Passage 1). Passage 2, on the other hand, recognizes the “geewhiz appeal” (follow link to sentence 1 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2) of deextinction but is less certain about its implementation: “Yet with limited intellectual bandwidth and financial resources to go around, de-extinction threatens to divert attention from the modern biodiversity crisis” (follow link to sentence 2 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2). Therefore, Passage 2 urges restraint for an idea that Passage 1 enthusiastically supports.

Choice A is incorrect because neither passage focuses on a political decision. Choice C is incorrect because Passage 1 does not mention a research study. Choice D is incorrect because Passage 2 does not consider practical uses (or “applications”) of deextinction as much as the practical problems that result from its use.

Link back to question 45.

Link back to question 46.

Explanation for question 46.

Choice C is the best answer. The author of Passage 1 is amazed by the idea of deextinction, while the authors of Passage 2 warn that a “program to restore extinct species poses a risk of selling the public on a false promise that technology alone can solve our ongoing environmental woes” (follow link to sentence 5 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2). This statement shows that the authors of Passage 2 view deextinction as a “false promise” that may make the problem of shrinking biodiversity appear easier to solve than it actually will be.

Choice A is incorrect because the authors of Passage 2 are less enthusiastic about the “prospect” of deextinction than the author of Passage 1, as they state that deextinction “threatens to divert attention from the modern biodiversity crisis” (follow link to sentence 2 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2). Choice B is incorrect because, while the authors of Passage 2 acknowledge that some extinctions may be inevitable, they are not resigned to deextinction. Choice D is incorrect because the authors of Passage 2 do not suggest that people have little understanding of the biodiversity crisis.

Link back to question 46.

Link back to question 47.

Explanation for question 47.

Choice A is the best answer. In sentences 2 and 3 of paragraph 5 in Passage 1, the author of Passage 1 writes (follow link): “That something as irreversible and final as extinction might be reversed is a stunning realization. The imagination soars.” This enthusiasm for such an exciting possibility is also recognized in Passage 2, which states in sentence 1 of paragraph 6 that (follow link) “The idea of bringing back extinct species holds obvious gee-whiz appeal and a respite from a steady stream of grim news.” By conceding that there is “geewhiz appeal” to deextinction, the authors of Passage 2 recognize that it is an idea that makes the “imagination [soar].”

Choice B is incorrect because sentence 2 of paragraph 6 in Passage 2 (follow link) explains why deextinction is a threat. Choice C is incorrect because sentence 1 of paragraph 8 in Passage 2 (follow link) concedes only that the idea of deextinction is not entirely without merit, a characterization which is far less enthusiastic than the statement “the imagination soars.” Choice D is incorrect because sentence 3 of paragraph 8 in Passage 2 (follow link) provides a single example of when deextinction might be appropriate.

Link back to question 47.



Stop. This is the end of the answers and explanations for questions 38 through 47.

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