GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Set # 3

1.

According to the passage, what benefit will the quarantine provide?

A.

It will provide the opportunity for early detection of the Emerald Ash Borer.
B.

It will allow USDA to survey the quarantine area to see if the Emerald Ash Borer has spread.
C.

It will eradicate the Emerald Ash Borer before it spreads outside the quarantine area.
D.

It will restrict movement of host material that originates from the quarantine area.
E.

It will give scientists time to develop solutions to combat the Emerald Ash Borer.

Correct Answer
E. It will give scientists time to develop solutions to combat the Emerald Ash Borer.

Explanation
According to the passage: "The quarantine regulations will help to mitigate the spread of the pest while the science community continues to work to develop solutions to combat EAB..."

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2.

Which states are included in the quarantine?

A.

Michigan, Ohio and Indiana
B.

Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio
C.

Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois
D.

Illinois, Indiana and Ohio
E.

Michigan, Indiana and Illinois

Correct Answer
B. Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio

Explanation
According to the passage: "... to include the entire states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, more than doubling the previously quarantined area which includes the entire lower peninsula of Michigan."

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3.

According to the USDA, why is the quarantine necessary?

A.

The possibility of spreading the pest in unprocessed host material poses a significant risk.
B.

The pest cannot distinguish between oak, hickory and maple trees.
C.

Without the quarantine, it will take 25 years to eradicate the pest.
D.

Without the quarantine, the cost of eradicating the pest will jump from $100 million to $7 billion in 25 years.
E.

The pest will kill $7 billion worth of ash trees without it

Correct Answer
A. The possibility of spreading the pest in unprocessed host material poses a significant risk.

Explanation
According to the passage: "the possibility of spreading EAB in unprocessed host material presents a serious risk that requires immediate action."

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4.

Which of the following wood products is not affected by the quarantine?

A.

Uncomposted ash logs and branches
B.

Composted ash logs and branches
C.

Ash nursery stock
D.

American elm logs
E.

Ash, oak, maple and hickory stumps

Correct Answer
D. American elm logs

Explanation
According to the passage: "Regulated articles include ash nursery stock and green lumber; any other ash material including logs, stumps, roots, branches, as well as composted and uncomposted wood chips." The only item not mentioned in the list is Choice D, American Elm logs.

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5.

According to the passage, what is the major cost to municipalities of the Emerald Ash Borer?

A.

Research to eradicate the pest.
B.

Removal and replacement of dead and dying ash trees.
C.

Loss of hardwood stock.
D.

Loss of residential landscaping.
E.

Reforestation of lost stock.

Correct Answer
B. Removal and replacement of dead and dying ash trees.

Explanation
According to the passage: "...it has the potential to cost state and local governments approximately $7 billion over the next 25 years to remove and replace dead and dying ash trees..."

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6.

The passage identifies the Emerald Ash Borer as an "invasive plant pest." What does the term "invasive" mean?

A.

The pest is spreading from state to state.
B.

The pest invades the ash tree and kills it.
C.

The pest is not native to the quarantine area.
D.

The pest is multiplying rapidly.
E.

The pest can be found throughout the entire quarantine area.

Correct Answer
C. The pest is not native to the quarantine area.

Explanation
According to the passage, scientists are working on ways to control the pest. Their goal is to eradicate it from North America. If scientists have not encountered the pest before, and their goal is to get rid of it, the reasonable conclusion is that the pest came to North America from somewhere else. "Invasive" means that the pest has come to North America from somewhere else.

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7.

Based upon the restricted items listed in the quarantine, in what way is the pest most likely to spread?

A.

Logging.
B.

Improper processing of ash trees.
C.

Composting infested materials.
D.

In tree nurseries.
E.

By moving infested wood from place to place.

Correct Answer
E. By moving infested wood from place to place.

Explanation
According to the passage: "Today�s federal order restricts the interstate movement of regulated articles that originate within the quarantine area." If the prohibited action is the movement of regulated articles, movement of the prohibited articles must pose a risk of spreading the pest. Choice E is the only action that involves moving something regulated by the order.

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8.

Based upon the description of the new quarantine area, what can you conclude about the Lower Peninsula of Michigan?

A.

The Emerald Ash Borer is native to the Lower Peninsula.
B.

The Lower Peninsula has a lot of ash trees.
C.

The Lower Peninsula is geographically large.
D.

Michigan residents often travel to Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
E.

Michigan has not done enough to control the spread of the pest.

Correct Answer
C. The Lower Peninsula is geographically large.

Explanation
According to the passage: "USDA...announced the expansion of its emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine to include the entire states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, more than doubling the previously quarantined area which includes the entire lower peninsula of Michigan." If the addition of three entire states more than doubles the quarantine area, which had previously included only the Lower Peninsula, the Lower Peninsula must be quite large.

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