At one time, hundreds of thousands of Panthera tigris, tigers, wandere

Question

At one time, hundreds of thousands of Panthera tigris, tigers, wandered the Asian landscape. Today a handful of collaborative conservation programs are all that protect tigers from disappearing entirely. One of those programs, “Tigers Forever,” seeks not only to keep tigers from being eradicated but also to increase their numbers by half over the next decade.

The threats to tigers are many. Owners of livestock shoot tigers with impunity to save their sheep, goats, and other animals. Hunters track and trap tigers for the illegal wild animal market, where a live tiger might fetch $20,000, a skin up to $1,500, and a kilo of tiger bones for traditional medicine perhaps $100. In places where the average income might be $3,500, tigers provide windfall profits to those brave enough to hunt them.

Added to this trouble for tigers is the loss of habitat that threatens all Asian large mammals. Tigers depend on a large range to satisfy their hunting needs. The encroachment of human development, logging, and agriculture on tiger habitats reduces tigers’ territories to tiny patches of land, and the human overhunting of the deer and wild pigs that the tigers feed upon lessens their chances for survival.

Tigers Forever builds upon work done by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in India, Thailand, and Siberia. In partnership with the WCS, a group called Panthera is working in five countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, India, and Lao PDR (Laos)—to eliminate the direct hunting and killing of wild tigers. Tigers Forever focuses on law enforcement and the training of local officials with the goal of enforcing protection, apprehending hunters, and acting proactively to root out networks of poachers. Working in partnership with localities has proved a far better method than imposing regulations from outside, and the best results thus far seem to be occurring in nations with strong and active governments. The conservation of tigers in India is by all accounts a rousing success; tigers in Lao PDR, on the other hand, where illegal deforestation is a rampant national disgrace, remain on the decline.    1 
 1. Which of the following most accurately summarizes the main point of the passage?

(A) Tigers are limited in Asia to a few small areas of protection.
(B) Organizations are working in tandem to save Asian tigers.
(C) Tigers Forever has had good luck improving tiger survival rates.
(D) Five countries have succeeded in saving their own tiger populations.
(E) India is one of the few places where tigers are thriving.

2 
 2. The average income of $3,500 is mentioned in the second paragraph for what purpose?

(A) To focus the reader’s attention on a basic inequity
(B) To explain why nonprofit organizations such as WCS are needed
(C) To contrast exorbitant food prices with real family incomes
(D) To indicate an incentive for illegal poaching of wild animals
(E) To show that these countries are too poor to initiate conservation efforts

3 
 3. By contrasting India and Lao PDR in the final paragraph, the author seems to be saying that

(A) tiger eradication can be reversed only through collective effort
(B) successful conservation requires a strong regulatory environment
(C) cultural differences may hinder the achievement of conservation goals
(D) conservation of the environment should supersede conservation of animals
(E) assuming that one plan would work across Asia was probably illadvised

4 
 4. Based on the statements in the last paragraph, which of the following describes the author’s attitude toward Lao PDR?

(A) Approval
(B) Indifference
(C) Skepticism
(D) Contempt
(E) Perplexity

5 
 5. The description of the work being done by Tigers Forever is closest to which of these overseas U.S. endeavors?

(A) Training Afghan soldiers to fight the Taliban
(B) Working on offshore hospital ships in western Africa
(C) Collecting data on whale populations in the Bering Sea
(D) Taking satellite photos of deforestation in South America
(E) Sending first responders to assist after the Haitian earthquake

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 210 Date: 27-Jun-2023
 This question is part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

ragzter03 · Answer

Can someone explain Q4, i'm confused as to how to choose from skepticism and contempt, as both seem fitting.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. Based on the statements in the last paragraph, which of the following describes the author’s attitude toward Lao PDR?

Explanation

The term  "rampant national disgrace"  used in reference to illegal deforestation implies a strong disapproval or contempt for the situation in the country. The mention that tigers in Lao PDR remain on the decline further supports a negative view. The author's tone conveys a sense of disappointment or disdain towards the lack of effective conservation efforts and the state of tiger protection in Lao PDR. Therefore, the correct answer is  (D)  Contempt.

Answer: D

Solenja · Answer

could someone please explain the last question.

Vishal_Jain · Answer

Hello  Solenja , 
For last question focus on these lines " Tigers Forever focuses on law enforcement and  the training of local officials with the goal of enforcing protection , apprehending hunters, and acting proactively to root out networks of poachers " especially the bolded areas.

So now if you see option A, Training Afghan soldiers (local officials in case of tigers) to fight against Taliban (Tiger hunters and poachers). This is clearly similar strat as done by Tiger forever.

Other options include working from offshore or distant ( Like using satellite photo, offshore help etc. ) all of these doesn't engage with local populations or if at all they engage they dont follow the strategy as done by Tiger forever.

Hope my answer helps.

Thanks & Regards 
Vishal Jain.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

5. The description of the work being done by Tigers Forever is closest to which of these overseas U.S. endeavors?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

(A) Training Afghan soldiers to fight the Taliban:  
This option involves training Afghan soldiers to combat the Taliban insurgency. It is a security and military endeavor aimed at strengthening the Afghan armed forces and supporting their efforts to fight against the Taliban and maintain stability in Afghanistan. The focus is on providing training, equipment, and support to Afghan soldiers to improve their capacity to counter the threats posed by the Taliban.

(B) Working on offshore hospital ships in western Africa: 
This option involves working on hospital ships stationed offshore in western Africa. The purpose of these hospital ships is to provide medical assistance and healthcare services to populations in coastal regions of western African countries. The ships are equipped with medical facilities and staffed by healthcare professionals who deliver essential medical care, perform surgeries, and provide humanitarian aid to communities in need.

(C) Collecting data on whale populations in the Bering Sea: 
This option involves the collection of data on whale populations in the Bering Sea. It likely refers to a scientific or research expedition that focuses on studying and monitoring the whale species present in the Bering Sea. Researchers would gather data on population size, behavior, migration patterns, and other factors to better understand and conserve whale populations in that region.

(D) Taking satellite photos of deforestation in South America: 
This option involves the use of satellite imagery to capture photos of deforestation activities taking place in South America. It suggests an environmental monitoring effort to track and document the extent of deforestation, likely in countries such as Brazil, Peru, or Colombia. The satellite photos would help identify areas of deforestation, assess the impact on ecosystems, and support conservation and sustainability efforts.

(E) Sending first responders to assist after the Haitian earthquake: 
This option involves dispatching first responders to provide assistance in the aftermath of an earthquake in Haiti. It refers to a humanitarian response initiative where trained emergency personnel, such as firefighters, paramedics, and search-and-rescue teams, are mobilized to provide immediate aid, medical support, and search for survivors in the affected areas.

Answer: A

Gprabhumir · Answer

Can someone please explain why the answer to Q5 is A? How is it comparable with training Afghan soldiers to fight Taliban?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explained here https://gmatclub.com/forum/at-one-time- ... l#p3224160

At one time, hundreds of thousands of Panthera tigris, tigers, wandere

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At one time, hundreds of thousands of Panthera tigris, tigers, wandere

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