Q2 Semester Exam Review English III-AP

What is the primary purpose of the passage?

• To argue that space exploration should receive more funding than taxonomy

• To criticize the neglect of taxonomy and advocate for its revitalization to benefit various scientific fields

• To explain the history and development of biodiversity studies

• To demonstrate how biodiversity studies can be applied to human medicine

Answer explanation

Answer Answer Key: B

The passage primarily aims to criticize the neglect of taxonomy and advocate for its revitalization, emphasizing its importance for other scientific disciplines and the future of biology.

Which of the following best describes the intended audience of the passage?

• General readers with no prior knowledge of science

• Specialists in space exploration and biomedical studies

• Scientists, policymakers, and individuals concerned with biological research and conservation

• High school students studying ecology and taxonomy

Answer explanation

Answer Answer Key: C

The passage appears to target an audience of scientists, policymakers, and others concerned with biological research and conservation, as it discusses issues like taxonomy, biodiversity, and conservation.

What rhetorical strategy does the author use to emphasize the importance of taxonomy in the opening paragraph?

• Using a personal anecdote to illustrate the effects of neglecting taxonomy

• Presenting a striking comparison between knowledge of Earth and the moon/Mars

• Providing statistical data to highlight the lack of funding in taxonomy

• Acknowledging and refuting opposing viewpoints about the significance of taxonomy

Answer explanation

Answer Answer Key: B

The author uses a striking comparison between what we know about life on Earth versus the surface of the moon and Mars to emphasize the neglect of studying life on Earth and the importance of addressing this gap.

How does the author’s use of the Chinese proverb, "the beginning of wisdom is getting things by their right names," contribute to the rhetorical situation?

• A)  It appeals to the audience's sense of humor to lighten the tone of the argument.

• B)  It establishes the author as an authority on Chinese proverbs.

• C)   It appeals to the audience's sense of logic, reinforcing the importance of correct identification in scientific research.

• D)   It introduces a counterargument by questioning the value of taxonomy.

Answer explanation

Answer Answer Key: C

The use of the Chinese proverb appeals to the audience’s sense of logic and reinforces the importance of properly identifying organisms in scientific research, aligning with the overall argument that taxonomy is essential.

Which component of the rhetorical situation is highlighted by the author’s reference to "the recognition that human activity threatens the extinction of... species"?

• Context, as it situates the argument within current environmental concerns

• Speaker, by showing the author’s expertise in environmental science

• Audience, by appealing to scientists who work in conservation

• Purpose, by outlining the reasons for the importance of taxonomy in understanding biodiversity

Answer explanation

Answer Key: A

The reference to human activity threatening species extinction highlights the context of the argument, situating it within the current environmental concerns about biodiversity loss and the role of conservation.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the introductory paragraph in the passage?

• To provide a historical background on the development of taxonomy

• To highlight the current neglect of taxonomy and its potential impact on biological studies

• To discuss the advancements in space exploration and biomedical studies

• To argue that biodiversity studies have already solved the problems caused by the lack of taxonomical expertise

Answer explanation

Answer Key: B

The introduction emphasizes the lack of funding and attention given to taxonomy, which is crucial for understanding life on Earth, setting up the argument for its revitalization.

How does the conclusion of the passage contribute to the overall argument about biodiversity?

• It provides examples of how biodiversity studies have already improved human welfare.

• It summarizes the scientific methods used in taxonomy and biogeography.

• It stresses the importance of conserving species to ensure human progress and suggests a solution to the issue.

• It questions the significance of biodiversity studies compared to other scientific fields.

Answer explanation

Answer Key: C

The conclusion underscores the importance of biodiversity studies in promoting conservation and human welfare while suggesting that conservation can be crucial for ongoing progress.

Which rhetorical strategy is primarily used in the first sentence of the passage, "We know less about life on earth than we know about the surface of the moon and Mars"?

• Providing a statistic to highlight the urgency of the issue

• Using a surprising comparison to emphasize the neglected state of earthly life

• Introducing a counterargument to the necessity of biological research

• Establishing a scientific claim to support the discussion of taxonomy

Answer explanation

Answer Key: B

The comparison between the knowledge of Earth and the surface of the moon/Mars is striking and serves to emphasize the neglected state of our understanding of life on Earth.

What is the primary purpose of the introductory information about springtails and oribatid mites?

• To provide specific examples of how taxonomical knowledge is underdeveloped

• To explain the importance of these creatures in ecological systems

• To critique the lack of government funding for scientific research

• To establish the complexity of life forms that require expert study and classification

Answer explanation

Answer Key: A

The introduction of these specific examples demonstrates how little is

known about important organisms due to the lack of taxonomical expertise, highlighting the issue that the author is addressing.

Which of the following is the most likely effect of the passage's concluding sentence: "As the Chinese say, the beginning of wisdom is getting things by their right names"?

• It adds a cultural perspective to the argument for taxonomy's importance

• It questions the effectiveness of scientific research in naming species

• It appeals to logos by providing a well-known proverb as evidence

• It introduces an opposing viewpoint about the necessity of taxonomy

Answer explanation

Answer Key: A

The quote from the Chinese proverb reinforces the author's argument about the importance of correctly identifying and naming species, tying cultural wisdom to the scientific need for taxonomical expertise.