“This land [of South America] is very pleasing, full of an infinite number of very tall trees which never lose their leaves and
throughout the year are fragrant with the sweetest aromas and yield an endless supply of fruits, many of which are good to taste and conducive to bodily health. The fields produce many herbs and flowers and most delicious and wholesome roots that I fancied myself near the Terrestrial Paradise. What shall we say of the multitude of birds and their plumes and colours and singing and their numbers and their beauty? I am unwilling to enlarge upon this description, because I doubt if I would be believed. . . . We saw so many . . . animals that I believe so many species could not have entered Noah’s ark. We saw many wild hogs, wild goats, stags and does, hares, and rabbits, but of domestic animals, not one.” —Amerigo Vespucci,
as quoted in Eyewitness to History
Which of these statements gives the main idea of this passage?
a.
South America has tall trees with sweet aromas and delicious fruit.
b.
The plants and animals of South America are numerous and unusual.
c.
The large numbers of plants makes it impossible for domestic animals to thrive.
d.
None of the South American animals were included on Noah’s ark.
Please select the best answer from the choices provided
b. The plants and animals of South America are numerous and unusual.
Explanation:
Look at this phrase: "Full of an infinite number of very tall trees which never lose their leaves and throughout the year are fragrant with the sweetest aromas and yield an endless supply of fruits, many of which are good to taste and conducive to bodily health. The fields produce many herbs and flowers and most delicious and wholesome roots that I fancied myself near the Terrestrial Paradise."
And then check this one: "We saw so many . . . animals that I believe so many species could not have entered Noah’s ark."
The battle for North Africa was a struggle for control of the Suez Canal and access to oil from the Middle East and raw materials from Asia. Oil in particular had become a critical strategic commodity due to the increased mechanization of modern armies.
