Question

Which of the following words, if it replaced "radically" in the second sentence above, would CHANGE the meaning of the sentence?

A. thoroughly
B. beneficially
C. drastically

Question #2: Read the section "Umbrella Species."
Why do scientists define these species with the term "umbrella"?
A. because they are also keystone species
B. because they protect other species
C. because they cover large areas

Question #3: Read the paragraph from the section "Predators."
Lacking a top predator, elk populations in Yellowstone exploded. Elk herds competed for food resources, and plants such as grasses and reeds did not have time or space to grow back. This hurt populations of other species, such as fish, beaver and songbirds. These animals rely on plants and their roots, flowers, wood and seeds for survival.
How does this paragraph contribute to the entire article?
A. by illustrating the effects of removing a keystone species
B. by introducing the causes of harm to plants and animals
C. by emphasizing the comparison between carnivores and herbivores

Question #4: Read the section "Ecosystem Engineers."
What does this section show that other sections do NOT?
A. how the removal of a keystone species can affect others
B. how adding species to an area can have negative effects
C. how species can help us understand changes in an environment

Answer 1

Answer #1

C. drastically

Answer #2

B. because they protect other species

Answer #3

A. by illustrating the effects of removing a keystone species

Answer #4

C. how species can help us understand changes in an environment

Step-by-step explanation:

Here are brief explanations for each answer:

Question #1

"Drastically" implies a sudden and dramatic change, whereas "thoroughly" and "beneficially" do not necessarily suggest such a significant alteration. Therefore, if "drastically" were replaced with "thoroughly" or "beneficially," the meaning of the sentence would not be altered significantly.

Question #2

"Umbrella species" are used to protect other species because their protection automatically extends to many other species that share the same habitat. Thus, the term "umbrella" is used to signify the protective coverage that extends to a broad range of species, much like an umbrella provides shelter for multiple people.

Question #3

The paragraph illustrates the impact of the removal of a keystone species on the entire ecosystem. The example of the elk population explosion in Yellowstone shows how the absence of a top predator can have negative effects on other species in the ecosystem, such as plants, fish, beavers, and songbirds. This paragraph serves as an illustration of the importance of keystone species and how their removal can disrupt the balance of an ecosystem.

Question #4

The section "Ecosystem Engineers" focuses on how certain species can affect their environment in significant ways, and how these effects can be used to understand changes in the ecosystem. This section is unique because it discusses how species can change their environment, whereas the other sections focus on the effects of the environment on species.