2. All of the following facts could be used as illustrative examples in addition to the example of rubber-producing plants EXCEPT:
Explanation
The passage uses the example of rubber-producing plants to show how species that seem insignificant can have major impacts. For this question, we need to find the choice that does not align with this theme of unexpected or indirect value derived from natural sources.
(A) is an example of a virus leading to the discovery of a vaccine, fitting the pattern of unexpected benefit from natural observations.
(B) fits because it describes medicinal value derived from plants, paralleling the rubber example.
(C) fits as it describes antibiotics derived from mold, another natural source leading to significant advances.
(D) does not fit because plastic is derived from petroleum, which is not a natural life form like the other examples; this disrupts the pattern.
(E) fits as it discusses rodents being useful in medical testing, an unexpected benefit from a natural species.
Answer: (D)