Question

When the forest canopy is removed, the moist soil is exposed to direct sunlight. This causes it to dry out. Without the root structures to hold the soil in place, the dried-out dirt is carried away by wind and rain. Eventually, what was once a lush forest becomes a barren desert.

Which statement best describes the main idea of this passage?
A. People can live in a forest but not in a desert.
B. Natural causes are just as harmful to forests as human influence. C. Deforestation is the primary cause of global warming.
D. Cutting down trees is bad not only for the trees but also for the soil.

Answer 1

The main idea is basically "what is the passage saying?" If you read you will realize that it's informational passage of effects of removing forest canopy and soil erosion. The correct answer would, therefore, be D.

Answer 2

D. Cutting down trees is bad not only for the trees but also for the soil.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the trees are cut down, forests disappear. Besides, when the trees are not longer in the forest, the soil also gets damaged. The sunlight heats it up and it dries out. As the roots of the trees are not longer there, the soil cannot be held in the root structure, and it is carried away by wind and rain. As a consequence, the forest turns into a dessert.