Measuring more than five feet tall and ten feet long

Question

Measuring more than five feet tall and ten feet long, the Javan rhinoceros is often called the rarest large mammal on earth. None exist in zoos. Like the Indian rhino, the Javan has only one horn; African and Sumatran rhinos have two. While the Javan rhino habitat once extended across southern Asia, now there are fewer than one hundred of the animals in Indonesia and under a dozen in Vietnam. Very little is known about Javan rhinos because they lead secretive and solitary lives in remote jungles. Until recently, scientists debated whether females even have horns, and most scientific work has had to rely on DNA garnered from dung.

The near extinction of the Javan rhino is the direct result of human actions. For centuries, farmers, who favored the same habitat, viewed them as crop eating pests and shot them on sight. During the colonial period, hunters slaughtered thousands. Now, human efforts to save them may well prove futile. The Vietnamese herd is probably doomed, as too few remain to maintain the necessary genetic variation. Rhinos from Java cannot supplement the Vietnamese numbers because in the millions of years since Indonesia separated from the mainland, the two groups have evolved into separate sub-species. In Indonesia, the rhinos are protected on the Ujung Kulon peninsula, which is unsettled by humans, and still have sufficient genetic diversity to have a chance at survival. Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer. Thus, human benevolence may prove little better for these rhinos than past human maltreatment.   1 
 1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Javan rhinos are one of the most endangered animals on the planet.
B. More is known about the genetics of the Javan rhino than is known about its mating patterns.
C. Hunters killed more Javan rhinos in Vietnam than in Indonesia.
D. Most animal extinctions are the result of human actions.
E. Genetic diversity is the most important factor for the survival of a species.

2 
 2. The author’s attitude toward current human efforts to save the Javan rhino can best be described as

A. optimistic and worthwhile
B. pointless and doomed
C. idealistic but profitable
D. problematic and ironic
E. confused but heroic

3 
 3. The author mentions that the Javan rhino has only one horn in order to do which of the following?

A. explain why it is closer to extinction than the African rhino
B. contrast it to the number of horns that the Indian rhino has
C. demonstrate its evolution into a separate sub-species
D. describe the features of the animal
E. contrast it to the number of horns that females have

4 
 4. The purpose of the first paragraph is to

A. discuss the different types of rhinoceroses that populate the world
B. describe the ways in which human actions have brought the Javan rhino close to extinction
C. outline the few known facts about the Javan rhino
D. discuss the steps taken to save the Javan rhino
E. highlight the differences between the sub-species of Javan rhinos in Vietnam and Indonesia

5 
 5. According to the passage, which of the following best explains why the number of Javan rhinos in Vietnam cannot be increased by additions from those in the Ujung Kulon peninsula?

A. The Indonesian Javan rhinos constitute a separate sub-species.
B. The Javan rhinos cannot swim to Vietnam and have no land route available.
C. Neither Vietnam nor Indonesia has the funds for such a project.
D. Javan rhinos in the Ujung Kulon peninsula are almost impossible to capture.
E. Terrorist activity in Indonesia has made such a project too dangerous to attempt.

6 
 6. The author states that which of the following was most responsible for the near extinction of the Javan rhino?

A. farmers shooting them on sight
B. the separation of Indonesia from the mainland
C. hunters slaughtering thousands
D. current human efforts to save them
E. the cumulative effect of many past human activities

7 
 7. Which of the following best expresses the author’s attitude toward the likely fate of the Javan Rhino?

A optimistic about the Indonesian rhino’s long-term survival
B. resigned to the eventual extinction of the species
C. uncertain about the ongoing impact of farmers and hunters
D. pessimistic about the species’ chances for survival
E. ambivalent about the long-term outcome for the Javan rhinoceros

gmatexam439 · Accepted Answer

Measuring more than five feet tall and ten feet long, the Javan rhinoceros is often called the rarest large mammal on earth. None exist in zoos. Like the Indian rhino, the Javan has only one horn; African and Sumatran rhinos have two. While the Javan rhino habitat once extended across southern Asia, now there are fewer than one hundred of the animals in Indonesia and under a dozen in Vietnam. Very little is known about Javan rhinos because they lead secretive and solitary lives in remote jungles. Until recently, scientists debated whether females even have horns, and most scientific work has had to rely on DNA garnered from dung.

The near extinction of the Javan rhino is the direct result of human actions. For centuries, farmers, who favored the same habitat, viewed them as crop eating pests and shot them on sight. During the colonial period, hunters slaughtered thousands. Now, human efforts to save them may well prove futile. The Vietnamese herd is probably doomed, as too few remain to maintain the necessary genetic variation. Rhinos from Java cannot supplement the Vietnamese numbers because in the millions of years since Indonesia separated from the mainland, the two groups have evolved into separate sub-species. In Indonesia, the rhinos are protected on the Ujung Kulon peninsula, which is unsettled by humans, and still have sufficient genetic diversity to have a chance at survival. Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer. Thus, human benevolence may prove little better for these rhinos than past human maltreatment.

Which of the following best expresses the author’s attitude toward the likely fate of the Javan Rhino?
a. optimistic about the Indonesian rhino’s long-term survival
b. resigned to the eventual extinction of the species
c. uncertain about the on-going impact of farmers and hunters
d. pessimistic about the species’ chances for survival
e. ambivalent about the long-term outcome for the Javan rhinoceros

Show Spoiler

D

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Javan rhinos are one of the most endangered animals on the planet. - One of the MOST endangered? Incorrect 
B. More is known about the genetics of the Javan rhino than is known about its mating patterns. - CORRECT. Scientists don't have much information. They perform analysis from "dung" for a particular theory. 
C. Hunters killed more Javan rhinos in Vietnam than in Indonesia.- No such information given .
D. Most animal extinctions are the result of human actions. - Most animals is a generalisation. This passage is about Javan rhinos 
E. Genetic diversity is the most important factor for the survival of a species. - Most important? Exaggerated

2. The author’s attitude toward current human efforts to save the Javan rhino can best be described as

A. optimistic and worthwhile - Not at all optismistic 
B. pointless and doomed - Yes its "futile" but not sad .
C. idealistic but profitable - Not at all idealistic 
D. problematic and ironic - Yes both problematic and ironical - " Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer. Thus, human benevolence may prove little better for these rhinos than past human maltreatment " 
E. confused but heroic - Not at all heroic

3. The author mentions that the Javan rhino has only one horn in order to do which of the following?

A. explain why it is closer to extinction than the African rhino -No comparison for extinction
B. contrast it to the number of horns that the Indian rhino has - No such contrast mentioned. Its just plain simple information 
C. demonstrate its evolution into a separate sub-species - No evolution is demonstrated  
D. describe the features of the animal - CORRECT. The author is simply saying that like indian rhinos, Javan rhinos have 1 horn. He further states that african rhinos have 2 horn. There is contrast, no seperate theory. Its simple straightforward .
E. contrast it to the number of horns that females have - No contrast

4. The purpose of the first paragraph is to

A. discuss the different types of rhinoceroses that populate the world - Absolutely not. Passage is just about Javan rhinos .
B. describe the ways in which human actions have brought the Javan rhino close to extinction - No, its not the central point of first para .
C. outline the few known facts about the Javan rhino - CORRECT. Author simply states facts about javan rhino 
D. discuss the steps taken to save the Javan rhino - No 
E. highlight the differences between the sub-species of Javan rhinos in Vietnam and Indonesia - LOL

5. According to the passage, which of the following best explains why the number of Javan rhinos in Vietnam cannot be increased by additions from those in the Ujung Kulon peninsula?

A. The Indonesian Javan rhinos constitute a separate sub-species.  CORRECT. Straight from the passage 
B. The Javan rhinos cannot swim to Vietnam and have no land route available. - Are you kidding me? 
C. Neither Vietnam nor Indonesia has the funds for such a project. - ROFL 
D. Javan rhinos in the Ujung Kulon peninsula are almost impossible to capture.  So what? We dont know about rhinos in vietnam 
E. Terrorist activity in Indonesia has made such a project too dangerous to attempt. - LOL

6. The author states that which of the following was most responsible for the near extinction of the Javan rhino?

" I DONT AGREE WITH THE OA GIVEN FOR THIS OPTION ."

A. farmers shooting them on sight - This is just an example .
B. the separation of Indonesia from the mainland - No 
C. hunters slaughtering thousands - This is just an example 
D. current human efforts to save them - No 
E. the cumulative effect of many past human activities - Yes its the human activities. Maybe for centuries farmers killed a million of rhinos. And later with much more advanced weaponry the poachers killed a 999,999 (that is still thousands). No concrete reason is given for any particular activity to become the winner

XavierAlexander · Answer

For all those who're confused b\w choices  B  and  D  in  Q2 , here's a simple, accurate and GMAT way of eliminating the wrong one:-

“ Pointless ” and “ Doomed ” are extreme words (i.e. there's 0% chance of any revival), and thus should be avoided in RC answers if not explicitly mentioned or supported.

In the mentioned passage author has no where mentioned about the absolute surety or guarantee of Indonesian rhino's extinction by human's benevolence. Instead, author has used the word " may " many times.

Thanks to Ron, Manhattan Prep, for the insight.

AR15J · Answer

Hi Expert,

Please help. I got the similar tone in Gmatclub exam as well, and I think I understood that wrong too. Below is the last line from that passage

American popularized versions of Feng Shui, by contrast, show hardly any concern for directional alignment or key objects, preferring instead the excessive use of crystals, mirrors, and table-top water features, which, though perhaps entertaining, display  precious little respect  for the real influence of Chi.

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

Yeah, these are tricky little phrases that don't mean exactly what some people think.

If I say that something is "little better" than something else, I'm saying that it is hardly an improvement at all. In many cases, the point may be that the difference is not worth noting, or that making a change would not be worthwhile. For instance, if I suggest some complex way to save money on groceries through data-intensive comparison shopping, and it turns out that the result is "little better than buying everything at the nearest market," then you'd probably conclude that it would be a waste of time to adopt my method. In the context of our RC passage, you'd expect "human benevolence" to be a whole lot better than maltreatment, so it's rather depressing to hear that it is "little better."

(Note that we can also use this form with some other words, such as "little worse" or "little short of," the latter meaning "almost as much/the same as." "The policy is little short of an outright import ban.")

"Precious little," on the other hand, is simply an idiom that means "very little." You can also say "precious few," but I can't think of any other words that we'd use this way. You can't say "precious many." I think the original idea is that the thing in question is so rare as to be precious, although when we use the expression that doesn't literally have to be true.

Funsho84 · Answer

Hi  VeritasPrepKarishma  This is an example of what I was taught to avoid during my gmat prep.

The passage says the following:  Now, human efforts to save them may well prove futile. The Vietnamese herd is probably doomed, as too few remain to maintain the necessary genetic variation.

Although the words are strong/extreme, I chose answer b in question 2 because I thought it described the author's feelings accurately. Can you shed some light? Usually, I'm able to narrow down my answer selection to two choices but I'm not sure how answer d can be correct here. The question specifically asks for the author's attitude towards current human effort but I believe answer d points to the current situation but I can't infer from the following statement in the passage that this was done on purpose.

Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer.

KarishmaB · Answer

Note that there are 2 habitats for Javan rhinos - a dozen in Vietnam and a 100 in Indonesia.
The author seems to have given up on those in Vietnam since they don't have the genetic diversity but he certainly has not given up on those in Indonesia. He says that they do have the genetic diversity. The problem is that since their habitat is untouched by humans, the shrubby they prefer is getting replaced. So perhaps, for once, human intervention will help them survive (usually, human intervention is what causes extinctions and hence this is ironic)
Hence problematic and ironic is the perfect description of how he feels. 
He does feel that the Vietnam ones are doomed but not so for the Indonesia ones so (B) would not be correct.

Skyline393 · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

The correct answer to this question will be a claim that must follow from text contained in the passage. This question does not provide any clues as to where the justifying text will be found.

(A) The first paragraph mentions that the the Javan rhino is the most endangered species of large mammal. However, it does not have to be true that it is one of the most endangered animals, a category that is far broader than mammals.

(B) CORRECT . The first paragraph states that very little is known about the life of the Javan rhino. The passage does indicate, however, that scientists have been able to extract information on the species’ DNA from gathered dung. The paragraph also suggests that very little information about female Javan rhinos has been gained, given that scientists only recently discovered whether or not females of the species even have horns. Thus, one can infer that more is known about the genetics of the Javan rhino than its mating patterns.

(C) The second paragraph indicates that hunters slaughtered many rhinos, but it does not mention where. Furthermore, it does not have to be true that more rhinos were killed in Vietnam simply because fewer rhinos remain there.

(D) The passage only discusses the Javan rhino; therefore, a generalization about the extinction of "most animals" is not supported by the passage.

(E) The passage does not mention other survival factors for a species or rank them; therefore, this inference is not supported by the passage.

2 . The author’s attitude toward current human efforts to save the Javan rhino can best be described as

In the second paragraph, after citing human actions as the cause of the Javan rhino’s plight, the author goes on to mention that the population in Vietnam is probably not viable and that human efforts in Indonesia, such as the protection of the rhino on the Ujung Kulun peninsula, have had mixed results. The passage ends with the thought that human benevolence is not helping the rhinos much more than past maltreatment. Thus, the correct answer will note the problems with current human efforts.

(A) The author is certainly not optimistic, as the passage mentions that in Vietnam the outlook is doubtful and in Indonesia, problems plague the effort. It is possible, although not certain, that the author considers the effort worthwhile.

(B) The author gives no indication that he or she believes the effort is pointless. Furthermore, especially in Indonesia, the passage does not indicate a certainty that it will fail.

(C) The passage does not at all discuss the profitability of the effort. It is possible, although not certain, that the author considers the effort idealistic.

(D) CORRECT.  The discussion of the mixed results and poor prognosis for the population in Vietnam justifies “problematic.” The last sentence of the passage, observing that benevolence has proved little better than maltreatment justifies “ironic.” Also, the author references the ironic quality of human protection of the Javan rhino in the 8th sentence in the 2nd paragraph, “Ironically, however the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer.”

(E) The passage indicates that the efforts have been much less than entirely successful but does not indicate any confusion related to the current efforts. It is possible for efforts to be less than fully successful without being confused. Furthermore, it does not at all address the idea that any particular heroism is involved.

3. The author mentions that the Javan rhino has only one horn in order to do which of the following?

The author mentions the number of horns in the first paragraph in the course of describing the Javan rhino. The correct answer must follow from this text.

(A) Although the Javan rhino is described as rare, the discussion of extinction is in the second paragraph,. Furthermore, the vitality of the African rhino is not mentioned.

(B) The passage contrasts the number of horns of the Javan rhino to that of the African and Sumatran rhinos. However, the author makes a parallel comparison to the Indian rhino because both species have one horn.

(C) The passage only discusses the Javan rhino’s evolution into a separate subspecies in the second paragraph in a completely different context,; no direct link is drawn between this evolution and the Javan rhino’s single horn.

(D) CORRECT.  The author mentions the Javan rhino’s single horn in conjunction with a general description of the Javan rhino. The passage then goes on to discuss its habitat and the scientific knowledge to date. Thus, the author included this detail to add depth to his or her description.

(E) The passage only states that until recently scientists were unsure if females had horns, and no definitive answer is given. Furthermore, this point is mentioned in a different context, after the passage has finished describing the Javan rhino.

4. The purpose of the first paragraph is to

The first paragraph describes the Javan rhino and indicates how little is known about it. This should be reflected in the answer. It is the second paragraph that relates the effects of human activity on the rhinos and their chances for survival.

(A) This choice is too broad, as the paragraph focuses on the Javan rhino and only mentions its differences from some other rhinos to distinguish the species from others.

(B) This answer choice describes the topic of the second paragraph, not the first.

(C) CORRECT.  The first paragraph provides the known facts about the Javan rhino and indicates that much remains unknown.

(D) The steps taken to save the Javan rhino are only mentioned in the second paragraph; they do not appear in the first paragraph.

(E) The first paragraph only indicates the respective number of rhinos in Indonesia and Vietnam in passing, and does not mention the differences between the two groups. The fact that the two have evolved into separate sub-species is mentioned only in the second paragraph.

5. According to the passage, which of the following best explains why the number of Javan rhinos in Vietnam cannot be increased by additions from those in the Ujung Kulon peninsula?

The passage mentions the Ujung Kulon peninsula in the second paragraph. Immediately before that, the passage states that Indonesian Javan rhinos cannot supplement those in because they have evolved into separate sub-species. The correct answer choice will rely upon this fact.

(A) CORRECT.  This choice rephrases the information in the second paragraph which states that the Indonesian Javan rhinos have evolved into a separate sub- species.

(B) The passage does not mention the aquatic abilities of the Javan rhino nor can it be assumed that they would have to get there without human assistance.

(C) The passage does not discuss the funds available in either country; therefore this choice is incorrect.

(D) The passage does not mention the difficulty involved in capturing a rhino; therefore this choice is incorrect.

(E) The passage does not mention terrorist activity at all; therefore, this choice is incorrect.

6. The author states that which of the following was most responsible for the near extinction of the Javan rhino?

In the second paragraph, the passage states that the “near extinction of the Javan rhino is the direct result of human actions.” The correct answer must be justified by that statement.

(A) Rhino deaths at the hands of farmers are mentioned as a detail and as just one of the human actions responsible. It does not single farmers out as the primary cause of the Javan rhino’s near extinction.

(B) The passage mentions the separation of from the mainland to explain why the Javan rhino population in Vietnam cannot be supplemented by rhinos from Ujung Kulon. It is not discussed as a reason for the near extinction of the Javan rhino.

(C) Rhino deaths at the hands of hunters are mentioned as a detail and as just one of the human actions responsible. It does not single hunters out as the primary cause of the Javan rhino’s near extinction.

(D) The passage does not say that current human efforts are at all responsible for the near extinction of the Javan rhino. Instead, it indicates that current benevolent human efforts may not prove sufficient to save them.

(E) CORRECT.  The beginning of the second paragraph clearly states that human actions, taken as a whole, have directly caused the near extinction of the Javan rhino.

aniket16c · Answer

Dear Experts,
 mikemcgarry   IanStewart   VeritasKarishma   daagh   EMPOWERgmatRichC   nightblade354   DmitryFarber 
The passage states that "The decline of the species may have progressed too far to be reversed". In such a case, why is option D better than option B?

IanStewart · Answer

The author is resigned to the demise of the Vietnamese herd of rhinos, but not of the Indonesian herd, and the question asks about all Javan rhinos.

It is a prep company question, though, and I wouldn't recommend relying on prep co questions for study. Question 2, for example, is not right:

The author's attitude is not "problematic". It's the human efforts to save the rhino that are potentially "problematic". The question is asking about the wrong thing.

laudantiumfacere · Answer

In Indonesia, the rhinos are protected on the Ujung Kulon peninsula, which is unsettled by humans, and still have sufficient genetic diversity to have a chance at survival. Ironically, however, the lack of human disturbance allows mature forests to replace the shrubby vegetation the animals prefer. Thus, human benevolence may prove little better for these rhinos than past human maltreatment.

for ques 7, why cant we say that they are ambivalent about the conservation since it is clearly mentioned that there is a chance of survival given human benevolence

in ques 1 - we have no info about mating patterns, how can we figure out that more is known about genetics as compared to mating

guddo · Answer

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

The passage says Javan rhinos are extremely rare and hard to study because they live secretive, solitary lives in remote jungles. It also says most scientific work has relied on DNA from dung, which is why scientists have learned some things indirectly even while many aspects of their lives remain poorly understood.

(A) Javan rhinos are one of the most endangered animals on the planet.

The passage supports “extremely endangered,” but it does not let you place them relative to all animals on Earth with enough certainty. “One of the most” is a ranking claim the text does not strictly establish.

(B) More is known about the genetics of the Javan rhino than is known about its mating patterns.

This is the best inference. The passage explicitly says most scientific work relies on DNA from dung, so there is at least some genetic knowledge. It also says they are secretive and solitary and that very little is known about them, which strongly implies that behavior that typically requires observation, like mating patterns, is even less understood.  So a comparative claim favoring genetics is supported.   This matches the passage’s contrast between DNA based study and lack of direct knowledge.

(C) Hunters killed more Javan rhinos in Vietnam than in Indonesia.

No location breakdown is given for the killings, so you cannot infer this.

(D) Most animal extinctions are the result of human actions.

The passage only claims this about the Javan rhino, not “most” extinctions.

(E) Genetic diversity is the most important factor for the survival of a species.

Genetic diversity matters in the passage, but habitat and vegetation changes also matter, so “most important” is too strong.

Answer: (B)

Adit_ · Answer

Quite a tricky passage 6/7. Took me almost 17 mins however LOL.
The 3rd one was quite subtle, kept thinking if there should be a trick.
The answer was probably just lame and straightforward which was "to describe features of the animal". But in such questions of what the author tries to intend conveying, I look for cues from the tone of the passage and take it from there and it felt like author wants to show why it's a rare species and thus included it. I am curious how to actually approach questions that ask for "why does the author include so and so.."

KarishmaB   Bunuel   GMATNinja  would love your inputs!

guddo · Answer

7. Which of the following best expresses the author’s attitude toward the likely fate of the Javan Rhino?

The author says human actions caused the near extinction, and even current protection might fail. Vietnam is “probably doomed,” Indonesia has “a chance,” but even there the protection creates a new problem (forest growth replacing the vegetation they prefer). The ending, “human benevolence may prove little better,” signals a bleak outlook overall.

(A) optimistic about the Indonesian rhino’s long-term survival

The passage says Indonesia has “a chance,” but it immediately undercuts that with a serious threat caused by protection itself. That is not optimism.

(B) resigned to the eventual extinction of the species

Too strong. The author does not say extinction is inevitable, because Indonesia “still have sufficient genetic diversity to have a chance at survival.”

(C) uncertain about the ongoing impact of farmers and hunters

The passage is not uncertain: it says near extinction is the direct result of human actions, and it treats past harm as clear. The uncertainty is about whether current rescue efforts will work, not about whether farmers and hunters mattered.

(D) pessimistic about the species’ chances for survival

This fits best. Vietnam is likely lost, and Indonesia’s “chance” is presented as fragile and possibly doomed by unintended consequences.  Overall tone is grim rather than hopeful.

(E) ambivalent about the long-term outcome for the Javan rhinoceros

Not ambivalent. The author is not mixed or neutral; the language consistently emphasizes danger and likely failure.

Answer: (D)

Measuring more than five feet tall and ten feet long

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Measuring more than five feet tall and ten feet long

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