Story 2: Gone Forever

1. Read this sentence from the article. Today, because forests have been cleared to make room for people, the grizzly's habitat is shrinking and the grizzly is disappearing. What does habitat mean?

An animal’s natural environment

A bear’s thick wool coat

A bear’s den

An animal’s vision

The word "habitat" refers to an animal's natural environment, where it lives and thrives. In the context of the sentence, it is explaining that due to deforestation and human encroachment, the grizzly bear's natural environment is being reduced, leading to the decline in the grizzly bear population.

Explanation

The word "habitat" refers to an animal's natural environment, where it lives and thrives. In the context of the sentence, it is explaining that due to deforestation and human encroachment, the grizzly bear's natural environment is being reduced, leading to the decline in the grizzly bear population.

2. What will happen to some animal species if current trends continue?

Their numbers will increase.

There will be no significant change.

They will become extinct.

They will move to other habitats.

If current trends continue, some animal species will become extinct. This means that they will no longer exist in the wild. Extinction occurs when a species cannot adapt to its changing environment, faces competition from other species, or experiences habitat loss. This can lead to a decline in population size and eventually the complete disappearance of the species. Extinction is a natural process, but human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change have accelerated the rate at which species are becoming extinct.

Explanation

If current trends continue, some animal species will become extinct. This means that they will no longer exist in the wild. Extinction occurs when a species cannot adapt to its changing environment, faces competition from other species, or experiences habitat loss. This can lead to a decline in population size and eventually the complete disappearance of the species. Extinction is a natural process, but human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change have accelerated the rate at which species are becoming extinct.

3. How does the author feel about the fate of endangered animals?

Disinterested

Concerned

Pleased

Confused

The author feels concerned about the fate of endangered animals. This can be inferred from the fact that the word "concerned" is used to describe the author's feelings. It suggests that the author is worried or troubled about the situation of endangered animals, indicating a sense of care and empathy towards them.

Explanation

The author feels concerned about the fate of endangered animals. This can be inferred from the fact that the word "concerned" is used to describe the author's feelings. It suggests that the author is worried or troubled about the situation of endangered animals, indicating a sense of care and empathy towards them.

4. Which of the following is NOT an opinion?

It is important for us to take care of endangered animals.

The black rhinoceros is the most frightening animal in Africa.

The fastest land animal, the cheetah, also lives in Africa.

If we don’t protect endangered animals now, we will regret it in the future.

The given statement "The fastest land animal, the cheetah, also lives in Africa" is a factual statement rather than an opinion. It states a verifiable fact about the cheetah's living habitat in Africa. Opinions are subjective statements that express personal beliefs or preferences, whereas this statement is based on objective information.

Explanation

The given statement "The fastest land animal, the cheetah, also lives in Africa" is a factual statement rather than an opinion. It states a verifiable fact about the cheetah's living habitat in Africa. Opinions are subjective statements that express personal beliefs or preferences, whereas this statement is based on objective information.

5. Which of the following does NOT support the main idea of the article?

Ocean-dwelling animals are in danger of extinction as well.

Beautiful birds like the great green macaw are also becoming extinct.

Wherever people are careless about the land, there are endangered species.

The elephant seems to represent all that is strong and wild in Africa.

The article discusses the danger of extinction faced by ocean-dwelling animals, the great green macaw, and endangered species in areas where people are careless about the land. However, it does not mention or support the idea that the elephant represents strength and wildness in Africa.

Explanation

The article discusses the danger of extinction faced by ocean-dwelling animals, the great green macaw, and endangered species in areas where people are careless about the land. However, it does not mention or support the idea that the elephant represents strength and wildness in Africa.

6. The following statement is an opinion rather than a fact. The black rhinoceros has very poor eyesight and a bad temper.

True

False

This statement is an opinion rather than a fact because the terms "very poor" and "bad temper" are subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives. While it is true that black rhinoceroses have relatively poor eyesight compared to other animals, the extent to which it is considered "very poor" is a matter of interpretation. Similarly, describing their temper as "bad" is subjective and can vary depending on the specific behavior observed. Therefore, this statement cannot be considered a factual statement.

Explanation

This statement is an opinion rather than a fact because the terms "very poor" and "bad temper" are subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives. While it is true that black rhinoceroses have relatively poor eyesight compared to other animals, the extent to which it is considered "very poor" is a matter of interpretation. Similarly, describing their temper as "bad" is subjective and can vary depending on the specific behavior observed. Therefore, this statement cannot be considered a factual statement.

7. Read this sentence from the article. They fascinate us with their beauty, their grace, and their speed. What is an antonym for the word fascinate?

Scare

Bore

Entertain

Humor

The word "fascinate" means to captivate or attract someone's interest. An antonym for this word would be "bore," which means to cause someone to feel uninterested or unengaged. Therefore, "bore" is the opposite of "fascinate" because it describes something that does not captivate or attract someone's interest.

Explanation

The word "fascinate" means to captivate or attract someone's interest. An antonym for this word would be "bore," which means to cause someone to feel uninterested or unengaged. Therefore, "bore" is the opposite of "fascinate" because it describes something that does not captivate or attract someone's interest.