Magy's English Edu. Club
Cambridge 15 Academic Reading Test Two Passage Two
Should we try to bring extinct species back to life?
Which paragraph contains the following information?
NB You may use any letter more than once.
14. a reference to how further disappearance of multiple species could be avoided.
The answer is F.
In paragraph six, she prefers to focus the debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various species went extinct in the first place, and therefore how we could use it to make genetic modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future.
15. explanation of a way of reproducing an extinct animal using the DNA of only that species
The answer is A.
In paragraph one, the basic premise involves using cloning technology to turn the DNA of extinct animals into a fertilized embryo, which is carried by the nearest relative still in existence – in this case, the abundant band-tailed pigeon – before being born as a living, breathing animal.
16. reference to a habitat which has suffered following the extinction of a species
The answer is D.
In paragraph D, since the disappearance of this key species, ecosystems in the eastern US have suffered, as the lack of disturbance caused by thousands of passenger pigeons wrecking trees and branches means there has been minimal need for regrowth. This has left the forests stagnant and therefore unwelcoming to the plants and animals which evolved to help regenerate the forest after a disturbance.
17. mention of the exact point at which a particular species became extinct
The answer is A.
In paragraph A, sadly, the passenger pigeon’s existence came to an end on 1 September 1914, when the last living specimen died at Cincinnati Zoo.
Complete the summary.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
The woolly mammoth revival project
18. Professor George Church and his team are trying to identify the ….. which enabled mammoths to live in the tundra.
The answer is GENTIC TRAITS.
In paragraph five, by pinpointing which genetic traits made it possible for mammoths to survive the icy climate of the tundra, the project’s goal is to return mammoths, or mammoth-like species, to the area.
19. According to Church, introducing Asian elephants to the tundra would involve certain physical adaptations to minimize ………….
The answer is HEAT LOSS.
In paragraph five, necessary adaptations would include smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat, all to reduce heat loss in the tundra, and all treats found in the now extinct woolly mammoth.
20 and 21. To survive in the tundra, the species would need to have the mammoth-like features of thicker hair, ………. of reduced size and more ………
20. The answer is EARS.
21. The answer is INSULATING FAT.
In paragraph E, necessary adaptations would include smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulating fat, all for the purpose of reducing heat loss in the tundra, and all traits found in the now extinct woolly mammoth.
22. Repopulating the tundra with mammoth or Asian elephant/mammoth hybrids would also have an impact on the environment, which could help reduce temperatures and decrease …….
The answer is CARBON EMISSIONS.
In paragraph five, this repopulation of the tundra and boreal forests of Eurasia and North America with large mammals could also be a useful factor in reducing carbon emissions – elephants punch holes through snow and knock down trees, which encourages grass growth.
Match each statement with the correct person, A, B, or C.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
23. Reintroducing an extinct species to its original habitat could improve the health of a particular species living there.
The answer is B. > Michael Archer
In paragraph two, the return of thylacines to Tasmania could help to ensure that devils are never again subjected to risks of this kind.
24. It is important to concentrate on the causes of an animal’s extinction.
The answer is C. > Beth Shapiro
In paragraph six, she prefers to focus the debate on how this emerging technology could be used to fully understand why various species went extinct in the first place, and therefore how we could use it to make genetic modifications which could prevent mass extinctions in the future.
25. A species brought back from extinction could have an important beneficial impact on the vegetation of its habitat.
The answer is A. > Ben Novak.
In paragraph four, according to Novak, a hybridized band-tailed pigeon, with the added nesting habits of a passenger pigeon, could, in theory, re-establish that forest disturbance, thereby creating a habitat necessary for a great many other native species to thrive.
26. Our current efforts at preserving biodiversity are insufficient.
The answer is C. > Beth Shapiro
In paragraph six, we know that what we are doing today is not enough, and we have to be willing to take some calculated and measured risks.