RC: Environment - 4 | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

Passage

Direction: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
The delicate balance of Earth's ecosystems is increasingly threatened by human activities. Biodiversity, a measure of the variety of life in a particular ecosystem, is in a state of unprecedented decline. The rate of species extinction is now hundreds of times higher than the natural rate, primarily due to habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of resources.
One of the most significant drivers of biodiversity loss is deforestation, particularly in tropical regions. Rainforests, which harbor more than half of the world's terrestrial species, are being cleared at an alarming rate for agriculture, timber, and urban development. This not only leads to the loss of species but also exacerbates climate change, as forests act as significant carbon sinks.
Marine ecosystems are not spared either. Overfishing, pollution, and ocean acidification resulting from increased carbon dioxide levels are decimating marine life. Coral reefs, often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, are particularly vulnerable, with significant portions already bleached or dead.
Despite the dire situation, there is still hope. Conservation efforts, sustainable practices, and international cooperation can mitigate the damage and preserve the planet's biodiversity for future generations. Protecting and restoring habitats, enforcing stricter regulations on pollution and resource exploitation, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions are critical steps in this direction.
The loss of biodiversity is not just an environmental issue but a threat to human well-being. It undermines the natural systems that provide us with food, clean water, medicines, and protection from natural disasters. As such, the fight to preserve biodiversity is a fight for our own survival.
Q1: Based on the passage, which of the following statements can be regarded as true?
(a) Urban development has had no significant impact on deforestation.
(b) Marine ecosystems have remained largely unaffected by human activities.
(c) Deforestation in tropical regions is contributing to the loss of biodiversity.
(d) Coral reefs are thriving in the current marine conditions.

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Q2: Which one of the following statements, if false, could be seen as contradicting the facts/arguments in the passage?
(a) Biodiversity loss is primarily driven by natural events rather than human activities.
(b) Forests act as significant carbon sinks, mitigating the effects of climate change.
(c) Conservation efforts can potentially reverse some of the damage done to Earth's ecosystems.
(d) Human well-being is intricately linked to the preservation of biodiversity.

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Q3: "The loss of biodiversity is not just an environmental issue but a threat to human well-being." In the context of the passage, which one of the following is not a possible implication of the quoted statement?
(a) The preservation of biodiversity is solely the concern of environmentalists.
(b) Biodiversity loss can affect the availability of natural resources for humans.
(c) Protecting biodiversity is essential for maintaining natural systems that benefit humans.
(d) Human survival is dependent on the health of Earth's ecosystems.

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Q4: Which one of the following statements would be an accurate inference from the description of threats to Earth's ecosystems?
(a) The extinction rate of species is currently lower than the natural rate.
(b) Tropical deforestation has little to no effect on climate change.
(c) International cooperation is crucial for conservation efforts.
(d) Overfishing is enhancing the resilience of marine ecosystems.

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