EOC Prep; Galapagos: The Enchanted Islands

According to the selection, why have the Galapagos Islands been described as ¨a living laboratory of evolution¨?

• because their unique biodiversity inspired Darwin's theories of how animals and plants have developed over time

• because they are the only place on Earth that has marine iguanas

• because the range of biodiversity cannot be duplicated anywhere else

• because many scientists travel to there to study volcanic action

What is the effect of the metaphor in the sentence below from paragraph 15?

¨To grow its economy, the government of Ecuador needs to continue to attract tourists to its crown jewel, the Galapagos.¨

• It tells where one can find precious jewels on the Galapagos Islands.

• It explains where tourists go to view the precious jewels in the Galapagos.

• It compares the Galapagos to a very valuable piece of jewelry.

• It emphasizes that the Ecuadorian government values precious jewels.

In this sentence from paragraph 4, which word could replace endemic?

¨In addition to hundreds of unique plant and insect species, a great variety of endemic vertebrates can be found in the region.¨

• nonnative

• native

• extinct

• academic

How does the author structure the text?

• overall history of the area, descriptions of migratory birds, effects of colonization, summary, and recommendation

• general overview, major environmental events, details about tourism on the islands, comparison of animals found on the island

• chronological history of the area, the problems of increasing population, conservation solutions, lists of reptiles and birds

• general overview, descriptions of animals, the effects of increased population, summary, and recommendation

What is the significance of the selections structure?

• It highlights the types of plants and animal life that exist in the Galapagos.

• It clarifies why people should consider the Galapagos as a tourist destination.

• It provides the reader with an inside look at what is is like to live an island community.

• It explains the history of the island and the causes of many of its challenges.

How does the author connect ideas in the selection?

• by describing the discovery and life of Lonesome George

• by comparing the population prior to the 1970s to the population of the 2000s

• by explaining the effects of an increased human population on the ecology of the islands

• by giving descriptive details about the animals that live on the islands

Which group of words from the selection conveys the authors attitude about her topic?

• volcanic, endemic, vested, economici

• rewarding, unique, rich, fragile

• notable, individual, nonnative, dwindling

• contamination, depletion, destruction, pollution

How does the author achieve her purpose?

• by using descriptive language to explain diffcult ideas

• by using headings to organize the information

• by using anecdotes from people who have visited the islands

• by using facts to support her ideas