Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 274: Answer and Explanation

Question: 274

The Galapagos Islands have been isolated from human habitation until relatively recently. *https://www.galapagos.org/

A scientist makes this statement: “Take a walk through the woods almost anywhere in the temperate U.S. and you'll probably come across clusters of honeysuckle, dandelions, bobbing water lilies and dense patches of ivy. Despite their pervasiveness, none of these plants developed here naturally, but were introduced by human activity.”

Based on the quotation and the statement, what would the scientist say would be the most likely consequence of tourism with respect to invasive plants in the Galapagos between 1980 and 2010?

  • A. Due to an increase in humanity's awareness of the Galapagos, it is more likely that a desire for environmental stewardship of the islands will grow.
  • B. Due to an increase in economic activity as a result of tourism, the inhabitants of the Galapagos will have more money with which to combat unwanted plant species.
  • C. Due to an increase in human contact, it is more likely that nonnative organisms will be introduced by accident.
  • D. Due to an increase in hotel construction as a consequence of tourism, intentional cultivation of invasive species will grow.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C. The text indicates that some nonnative plants are introduced to new environments through human contact. With an increase in human visitation, the Galapagos Islands will likely experience more accidental introduction of plants. It is not A, because the text does not suggest that an increase in human interaction leads to an overall improvement in conservation efforts. It is not B, because there is no information to support the notion that an increase in tourism will result in enough money to outweigh the negative consequences of increased human activity. And it is not D, because the text does not support the notion that humans will consistently seek to purposefully introduce invasive species to new environments.

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