Short Passages Comprehension - XVIII



Please study carefully the comprehension given below. The passages is followed by a set of questions choose the best answer to each question.

Since the world has become industrialised, there has been an increase in the number of animal species that have either become extinct or have neared extinction. Bengal tiger, for instance, which once roamed the jungle in vast numbers, now number only 2300 and by the year 2025 their population is estimated to be down to zero. What is alarming about the case of Bengal tiger is that this extinction will have been caused almost entirely by poachers who according to some sources, are not interested in material gain but in personal gratification. This is an example of the callousness that is part of what is causing the problem of extinction. Animals like the Bengal tiger, as well as other endangered species, are a valuable part of the world’s ecosystem. International laws protecting these animals must be enacted to ensure their survival and the survival of our planet.
Countries around the world have begun to deal with the problem in various ways. Some countries, in order to circumvent the problem, have allocated large amount of land to animal reserves. They then charge admission to help defray the costs of maintaining the parks and they often must also depend on world organisations for support. With the money get, they can invest in equipment and patrols to protect the animals. Another solution that is an attempt to stem the tide, of animal extinction is an international boycott of products made from endangered species. This seems fairly effective, but it will not, by itself, prevent animals from being hunted and killed.

Ques 1. What is the author’s main concern in this passage?
(a) Problems of industrialisation
(b) The Bengal tiger
(c) Endangered species
(d) Callousness of man

Ques 2. According to the passage, poachers kill for :
(a) material gain
(b) personal satisfaction
(c) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’
(d) None of these

Ques 3. Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the underlined word ‘alarming’?
(a) Serious
(b) Dangerous
(c) Distressing
(d) Frightening

Ques 4. Certain species are becoming extinct because of :
(a) industrialisation
(b) poaching
(c) love of products made from them
(d) all of these

Ques 5. The Phrase ‘Stem the tide’ means
(a) save
(b) stop
(c) touch
(d) spare

Ques 6. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude?
(a) Concerned
(b) Vindictive
(c) Surprised
(d) Generous

Answers :
(1) (c), (2) (b), (3) (d) (4) (d), (5) (b), (6) (a).