Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.
Elephants are landscape architects, creating clearings in the forest, preventing overgrowth of certain plant species and allowing space for the regeneration of others, which in turn provide sustenance to other herbivorous animals. Elephants eat plants, fruits and seeds, propagating the seeds when they defecate in other places as they travel. Elephant dung provides nourishment to plants and animals and acts as a breeding ground for insects. In times of drought, they access water by digging holes which benefits other wildlife.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the passage?
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Complete-Test, Previous year (2023)
The home range of elephants needs to be a vast area of rich biodiversity.
Incorrect AnswerElephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity.
Correct Answer Rich biodiversity cannot be maintained in the forests without the presence of elephants.
Incorrect Answer Elephants are capable of regenerating forests with species as per their requirement.
Incorrect AnswerExplanation:
- Option 1: The home range of elephants needs to be a vast area of rich biodiversity.
This option focuses on the area elephants need, but does not capture their crucial role in maintaining biodiversity as described in the passage.
- Option 2: Elephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity.
This option accurately reflects the passage. Elephants shape the environment, support plant and animal life, and enhance biodiversity.
- Option 3: Rich biodiversity cannot be maintained in the forests without the presence of elephants.
This suggestion is too absolute. The passage emphasizes elephants' important role but does not assert they are the sole maintainers of biodiversity.
- Option 4: Elephants are capable of regenerating forests with species as per their requirement.
This option inaccurately implies that elephants purposefully select specific species, which is not supported by the passage.
Answer: Option 2 - Elephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity.
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By: sunny bhonsle