Passage 1: The Role of Wetlands in Environmental Conservation
Paragraph 1
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, offering ecological and economic benefits. The question focuses on the overall purpose of the passage.
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the passage?
- Correct Answer: (B) To highlight the ecological and economic importance of wetlands
- Explanation: The passage emphasizes the roles wetlands play, such as providing ecological balance and supporting biodiversity, rather than focusing solely on describing types, formation, or agricultural roles.
Paragraph 2
This paragraph discusses the role of wetlands in water purification. They act as natural filters, removing pollutants and improving water quality.
Question 2: Which of the following is mentioned as a function of wetlands?
- Correct Answer: (C) Purifying water
- Explanation: The paragraph explicitly describes how wetlands remove contaminants and provide cleaner water, making (C) the correct answer. Options (A), (B), and (D) are not mentioned.
Paragraph 3
The passage details how wetlands mitigate flooding by absorbing excess rainwater and releasing it slowly.
Question 3: The word “spongy” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
- Correct Answer: (A) Absorbent
- Explanation: The term “spongy” relates to the soil’s ability to absorb and hold water, which aligns with “absorbent.”
Paragraph 4
This section explains carbon sequestration, highlighting wetlands’ role in combating climate change by storing carbon dioxide.
Question 4: What is the main cause of wetland loss mentioned in the passage?
- Correct Answer: (B) Human activities
- Explanation: The passage explicitly cites human activities like agriculture and urbanization as the primary causes of wetland loss.
Question 5: The phrase “carbon sinks” in paragraph 4 refers to:
- Correct Answer: (B) Natural systems that absorb and store carbon dioxide
- Explanation: Carbon sinks are systems that capture and store carbon, as described in the paragraph. The other options do not fit the context.
Paragraph 5
This paragraph highlights wetlands as biodiversity hotspots, supporting a wide range of species.
Question 6: According to the passage, why are wetlands important for migratory birds?
- Correct Answer: (B) They serve as feeding grounds during migration
- Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions that wetlands provide stopover points for migratory birds, which include feeding areas.
Question 7: Where would the following sentence best fit in the passage? “These areas are also crucial for supporting aquatic food chains.”
- Correct Answer: (C) After “stopover points” in paragraph 5
- Explanation: The sentence fits here because it expands on the ecological role of wetlands, which is already being discussed in the context of supporting species like birds and aquatic organisms.
Paragraph 6
This section discusses the rapid loss of wetlands, caused primarily by human activities.
Question 8: Which of the following is NOT a threat to wetlands mentioned in the passage?
- Correct Answer: (C) Overhunting
- Explanation: While urbanization, pollution, and agriculture are explicitly mentioned, overhunting is not discussed in the passage.
Paragraph 7
Efforts to conserve wetlands, such as international agreements and public awareness campaigns, are highlighted here.
Question 9: What can be inferred about the Ramsar Convention?
- Correct Answer: (B) It is an international agreement to conserve wetlands
- Explanation: The passage explicitly states that the Ramsar Convention aims to protect wetlands of global significance, making (B) the correct inference.
Paragraph 8
This concluding paragraph emphasizes the urgency of wetland conservation and their indispensable roles.
Question 10: What is the tone of the passage?
- Correct Answer: (B) Informative
- Explanation: The passage is written to provide detailed information about the importance of wetlands, without being overly persuasive or critical.
Final Notes
This practice test illustrates the ecological, economic, and social importance of wetlands while testing comprehension skills. Each question requires attention to detail and an understanding of how to infer meaning from context.