READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND MARK THE LETTER A, B, C OR D ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET TO INDICATE THE CORRECT ANSWER TO EACH OF THE QUESTIONS IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 99 PERCENT OF ALL SPECIES THAT HAVE EXISTED HAVE BECOME EXTIN...

Exercise 8: Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions It is estimated that over 99 percent of all species that have existed have become extinct. What causes extinction? When a species is no longer adapted to a changed environment, it may perish. The exact causes of a species' death vary from situation to situation. Rapid ecological change may render an environment hostile to a species. For example, temperatures may change and a species may not be able to adapt. Food resources may be affected by environmental changes, which will then cause problems for a species requiring these resources. Other species may become better adapted to an environment, resulting in competition and, ultimately, in the death of a species. The fossil record reveals that extinction has occurred throughout the history of Earth. Recent analyses have also revealed that on some occasions, many species became extinct at the same time- a mass extinction. One of the best-known examples of mass extinction occurred 65 million years ago with the demise of dinosaurs and many other forms of life. Perhaps the largest mass extinction was the one that occurred 225 million years ago, when approximately 95 percent of all species died. Mass extinction can be caused by a relatively rapid change in the environment and can be worsened by the close interrelationship of many species. If, for example, something were to happen to destroy much of the plankton in the oceans, then the oxygen content of Earth would drop, affecting even organisms not living in the oceans. Such a change would probably lead to a mass extinction. One interesting, and controversial, finding is that extinctions during the past 250 million years have tended to be more intensive every 26 million years. This periodic extinction might be due to intersection of the Earth's orbit with a cloud of comets, but this theory is purely speculative. Some researchers have also speculated that extinction may often be random. That is, certain species may be eliminated and others may survive for no particular reason. A species' survival may have nothing to do with its ability or inability to adapt. If so, some of evolutionary history may reflect a sequence of essentially random events. Question 32. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as resulting from rapid ecological change? A. Availability of food sources B. Temperature changes C. Introduction of new species D. Competition among species Question 33. According to paragraph 2, evidence from fossil fuels suggests that ________ . A. extinction of species has occurred from time to time throughout Earth's history B. dinosaurs became extinct much earlier than scientists originally believed C. extinction on Earth have generally been massive D. there has been only one mass extinction in Earth's history Question 34. The word "ultimately" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to A. exceptionally B. dramatically C. unfortunately D. eventually Question 35. In paragraph 3, the author makes which of the following statements about a species survival? A. It reflects the interrelationship of many species. B. It is associated with astronomical conditions. C. It doesn't vary greatly from species to species. D. It may depend on chance events. Question 36. The word "demise" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _______ . A. recovery B. survival C. death D. change Question 37. According to the passage, it is believed that the largest extinction of a species occourred _______. A. 26 million years ago B. 250 million years ago C. 225 million years ago D. 65 million years ago Ouestion 38. What does the author say in paragraph 1 regarding most species in Earth's history? A. They have been able to adapt to ecological changes. B. They have caused rapid changes in the environment. C. They have remained basically unchanged from their original forms. D. They are no longer in existence. Question 39. Which of the following can be inferred from the theory of periodic extinction mentioned in paragraph 3? A. The theory is no longer seriously considered B. Many scientists could be expected to disagree with it C. Most scientists believe the theory to be accurate D. Evidence to support the theory has recently been found