Among the large running birds are forms, like the African ostrich, in

Question

Adapted from “Birds in Retreat” in “Animal Defences—Active Defence” in Volume Four of The Natural History of Animals: The Animal Life of the World in Its Various Aspects and Relations by James Richard Ainsworth Davis (1903)

Among the large running birds are forms, like the African ostrich, in which the absence of powers of flight is largely compensated by the specialization of the legs for the purpose of rapid movement on the ground. For straightforward retreat in open country nothing could be more effective; but another kind of adaptation is required in birds like rails, which are deficient in powers of flight, and yet are able to run through thickly-growing vegetation with such rapidity as to commonly elude their enemies. This is rendered possible by the shape of their bodies, which are relatively narrow and flattened from side to side, so as to easily slip between the stems of grasses, rushes, and similar plants. Anyone who has pursued our native land-rail or corn-crake with intent to capture will have noted how extremely difficult it is even to get within sight of a bird of this sort.

Certain birds, unfortunately for themselves, have lost the power of flight without correspondingly increased powers of running, and have paid the penalty of extinction. Such an arrangement, as might be anticipated, was the result of evolution in islands devoid of any predatory ground-animals, and a classic example of it is afforded by the dodo and its allies, birds related to the pigeons. The dodo itself was a large and clumsy-looking species that at one time abounded in the island of Mauritius, which, like oceanic islands generally, possessed no native mammals, while its indigenous reptiles were only represented by lizards. The ubiquitous sailor, however, and the animals (especially swine) which he introduced, brought about the extinction of this helpless bird in less than a century after its first discovery in 1598. Its memory is now only kept green by a few contemporary drawings and descriptions, certain museum remains, and the proverb "as extinct as a dodo.” A similar fate must overtake any organism suddenly exposed to new and unfavorable conditions, if devoid of sufficient plasticity to rapidly accommodate itself to the altered environment.    1 
 1. The narrator mentions the proverb “as extinct as a dodo” in order to __________.

A. encourage his readers to use more figurative language
B. lament that the dodo was not eliminated sooner
C. transition to a discussion of the ways in which common sayings reference birds
D. provide an example of what little is left of the dodo in his era
E. support the idea that the dodo went extinct because of human influence

2 
 2. How does the second paragraph relate to the first paragraph?

A. The first paragraph describes a type of flightless birds that has gone extinct; the second describes species of flightless birds that are still living.
B. The first paragraph describes birds people eat; the second describes birds people do not eat.
C. The first paragraph provides a personal anecdote while the second paragraph provides historical information.
D. The first paragraph describes flightless birds that learned to defend themselves from predators by fleeing them; the second paragraph describes a flightless bird that did not adapt in this way.
E. The first paragraph discusses predators of flightless birds, the second describes prey of flightless birds.

3 
 3. Which of the following best describes the tone the author employs throughout the passage?

A. Objective
B. Carefree
C. Despondent
D. Furious
E. Oversensitive

4 
 4. Which of the following best states the main idea of this passage?

A. Flightless birds sometimes develop strong running abilities, but if they don’t, they may be threatened with extinction.
B. Flightless birds adapt to their particular surroundings.
C. The extinction of the dodo can be traced to human causes.
D. The African ostrich’s strong leg muscles makes it well adapted to its environment.
E. Birds employ a variety of defenses for avoiding predators.

5 
 5. What kinds of reptiles are indigenous to Mauritius?

A. Lizards
B. Lizards and snakes too small to eat dodos
C. Snakes
D. Lizards, snakes, and crocodiles
E. Snakes and crocodiles

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 171 Date: 31-May-2023
 This question is part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

parthwagh · Answer

Question 1: The narrator mentions the proverb "as extinct as a dodo" in order to

A. encourage his readers to use more figurative language: This answer choice is incorrect because there is no indication in the passage that the narrator is urging readers to use more figurative language. The mention of the proverb serves a specific purpose related to the dodo's extinction.

B. lament that the dodo was not eliminated sooner: This answer choice is incorrect as the use of the proverb does not express regret that the dodo was not eliminated earlier. It is used to illustrate the concept of extinction and the rarity of the dodo.

C. transition to a discussion of the ways in which common sayings reference birds: This option is incorrect as the mention of the proverb does not lead to a broader discussion about common sayings related to birds. It is used in a specific context to highlight the extinction of the dodo.

D. provide an example of what little is left of the dodo in his era:  This answer choice is correct. The mention of the proverb "as extinct as a dodo" serves to emphasize the rarity and extinction of the dodo in the narrator's era. It indicates that only a few remnants, such as drawings and descriptions, remain of the dodo.

E. support the idea that the dodo went extinct because of human influence: This is a plausible answer choice. The extinction of the dodo was indeed influenced by the actions of humans, specifically sailors and the animals they introduced. However, the primary purpose of mentioning the proverb is to highlight the current state of the dodo's existence rather than attributing its extinction solely to human influence.

Question 3: Which of the following best describes the tone the author employs throughout the passage?

A. Objective:  This answer choice is correct. The author maintains an objective tone throughout the passage by presenting factual information about the adaptations and vulnerabilities of flightless birds without inserting personal opinions or emotions.

B. Carefree: This answer choice is incorrect as the tone of the passage is not carefree but rather informative and focused on presenting scientific facts.

C. Despondent: This answer choice is incorrect as there is no sense of despondency or melancholy in the author's tone. The author is simply presenting information about the adaptations and extinction of flightless birds.

D. Furious: This answer choice is incorrect as there is no indication of anger or fury in the author's tone. The passage is written in a measured and informative manner.

E. Oversensitive: This answer choice is incorrect as the author does not exhibit oversensitivity in the presentation of the information. The tone is rational and factual.

Question 4: Which of the following best states the main idea of this passage?

A. Flightless birds sometimes develop strong running abilities, but if they don’t, they may be threatened with extinction:  This answer choice is correct. The main idea of the passage revolves around the adaptations of flightless birds, emphasizing that the ability to adapt, whether through running or other means, is crucial for their survival and that failure to adapt may lead to extinction.

B. Flightless birds adapt to their particular surroundings: This answer choice is not as precise as the correct answer. While adaptation is a key theme, the passage specifically focuses on the consequences of lack of adaptation leading to extinction rather than generic adaptation to surroundings.

C. The extinction of the dodo can be traced to human causes: This answer choice, while partially accurate, does not encapsulate the broader theme of flightless bird adaptations and their vulnerability to extinction discussed in the passage.

D. The African ostrich’s strong leg muscles make it well adapted to its environment: This answer choice is incorrect as the passage does mention the African ostrich but does not focus on its specific adaptations. The main idea is about broader adaptations of flightless birds and the consequences of lack of adaptation.

E. Birds employ a variety of defenses for avoiding predators: This answer choice is too narrow as it focuses solely on defense mechanisms against predators, whereas the passage discusses overall adaptations and the extinction of flightless birds.

Question 5: What kinds of reptiles are indigenous to Mauritius?

A. Lizards:  This answer choice is correct. The passage explicitly states that the indigenous reptiles on the island of Mauritius were represented only by lizards.

B. Lizards and snakes too small to eat dodos: This answer choice is incorrect as the passage does not mention any specific connection between the reptiles and the dodo's size or prey preferences.

C. Snakes: This answer choice is incorrect as the passage specifies that only lizards were the indigenous reptiles on the island of Mauritius.

D. Lizards, snakes, and crocodiles: This answer choice is incorrect as the passage only mentions lizards as the indigenous reptiles on the island of Mauritius. There is no reference to the presence of snakes or crocodiles.

E. Snakes and crocodiles: This answer choice is incorrect as the passage specifically states that the only indigenous reptiles to Mauritius were lizards, without mentioning snakes or crocodiles.

Among the large running birds are forms, like the African ostrich, in

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Among the large running birds are forms, like the African ostrich, in

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