Direction (): In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/ phrases are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately.
Bumblebees are in drastic decline across Europe and North America (###1###) more frequent extremes in temperatures. A study suggests the likelihood of a bumblebee population surviving in any given place has declined by 30% in the (###2###) of a single human generation. The researchers used data (###3###) over a 115-year period on 66 bumblebee species across North America and Europe to develop a model simulating “climate chaos” scenarios. They were able to see how bumblebee populations had changed over the years by (###4###) where the insects were now to where they used to be.
The findings by the researchers suggest that much larger declines are likely if the temperature increases (###5###) in the coming years. Many of the species could (###6###) forever if we do not take substantial efforts to reduce climate change.
Bumblebees play a key role in pollinating crops such as tomatoes, squash and berries. We must address climate change itself and (###7###) action we take to reduce emissions will help.