Question

Which of the following best summarize the passage? A. The diminishing numbers of chimney swift can be reversed by simple conservation efforts B. Chimney swift rely entirely on masonry chimneys to survive during their early migration C. Prefabricated chimneys are the one thing that threatens the future of the chimney swift D. the number of chimney swifts in the world has been slowly declining since the 1970s  2. Which of the following can be inferred from the information in the passage? A. Logging industry production dramatically increased around 1970. B. Changes in home design and home heating occurred in the late 1970s. C. The way we tracked chimney swift populations changed in the 1970s. D. The chimney swift's adaptability was severely hindered around 1970s.  3. The first paragraph in the passage on chimney swifts includes this description: "...large colonies of hundreds, or even thousands, of individuals form tornado-like funnels." Why does the author include this in the passage? A. It proves the author is an expert in bird studies B. It provides the reader with an engaging image C. It establishes the passage as a work of fiction D. It offers supporting evidence for the claim  4. Based on the passage, which of the following statements is true? A. The author provides facts to support the main idea B. The author uses an informal style that appeals to readers C. The author has an extensive background in bird studies D. The author relies on first-hand observation of chimney swift behavior  5. Which of the following lists support the main idea of the passage? A. Chimney swifts appear in North America in summer, migrate to the tropics in winter, and give birth in the spring B. Logging and deforestation, changes in the ways we heat our buildings, and chimney capping have robbed the chimney swift of its preferred roosting sites C. The small, slender bird known as the chimney swift migrates in large numbers, can be seen only at dusk, and raises its young in the tropics D. Metal-lined chimneys, chimney towers, and reforestation efforts will ultimately result in the growth of the chimney swift population 6. Which of the following conclusions can swift population  6. Which of the following conclusions can the reader make from the passage? A. Metal flumes are inserted in masonry chimneys to prevent birds, such as chimney swifts, from nesting in them B. Chimney swifts can easily adapt roosting behaviors to any structure made of the proper material C. Chimney swifts are nocturnal birds whose large numbers are evident in the size of their colonies D. Moving in large chipping flocks is a natural protection against predators Chimney swifts are small, slender birds that have become a symbol of summer for many. They usually appear in North America during warm, summer months as they make their way to more tropical sites for the winter. They are recognized most often as spectacular, chirping flocks moving through the sky in synchrony. Chimney swifts can be seen most vividly at dusk when large colonies of hundreds, or even thousands of individuals form tornado-like funnels as they descend into the chimneys. Unfortunately, the size of the colonies we see is misleading. Though the numbers may seem remarkable, chimney swift populations have been declining sharply since the 1970's due primarily to habitat loss. Unlike most birds, chimney swifts cannot perch or stand upright, so they require long, hollow spaces that are enclosed to provide safe roosting and nesting sites. Historically, chimney swifts preferred hollow trees. However, as pioneers colonized territory and replaced forests with towns, the species was forced to adapt by using other structures, such as chimneys. In the US, a large-scale shift to alternate heat sources, chimney- capping and the use of fabricated chimneys has drastically impacted their ability to nest during migration. Traditionally, chimneys were lined with clay, which the swifts were able to cling to and make their nests. Newer, prefabricated chimneys are often lined with metal flues Traditionally, chimneys were lined with clay, which the swifts were able to cling to and make their nests. Newer, prefabricated chimneys are often lined with metal flues that make it impossible for them to use. In addition, logging and deforestation may make finding suitable overwintering habitat more challenging than ever. In an effort to sustain the remaining population, conservation groups have designed supplemental housing structures, called "Chimney towers." These towers are designed specifically to provide roosting sites for chimney swifts. Chimney swifts now rely almost entirely on man-made structures like these to survive. However, because this species is remarkably adaptable, even minimal conservation efforts like keeping traditional masonry chimneys uncapped during the summer months can drastically improve their chance of survival.

Answer 1

Answer:

1. A. The diminishing numbers of chimney swift can be reversed by simple conversation efforts.

Explanation:

Option A best summarizes the passage because it truly expresses and captures the author's main idea of presenting the declining state of chimney swifts and proferred a solution to the declination.

2. D. The chimney swift's adaptability was severely hindered around 1970s.

Explanation:

This is true because it is seen from the passage that during the 1970s they started experiencing habitat loss. This habitat loss hindered their adaptability.

3. D. It offers supporting evidence for the claim.

Explanation:

The author in the bid to further explain how one can recognize the chimney swifts at dusk gave a supporting evidence that at dusk they move in large colonies of hundreds, or even thousands of individuals form tornado-like funnels.

4. A. The author provides facts to support the main idea

Explanation:

This is true because the author provides sufficient facts in order to support his main idea. He goes from the year they started experiencing habitat loss to the issues surrounding their habitat loss and ways to conserve them. Every step of the way, he provides clear facts.

5. B. Logging and deforestation, changes in the ways we heat our buildings and chimney capping have robbed the chimney swift of its preferred roosting sites.

Explanation:

Since the main idea reveals how chimney swifts are diminishing due to habitat loss and the conservative efforts needed to be implemented to save them, this option clearly reveals the adverse effects of logging and deforestation, changes in heating our buildings and chimney capping on the chimney swift's roosting sites. Thus, supporting the author's main idea.

6. B. Chimney swifts can easily adapt roosting behaviors to any struture made of the proper materials.

Explanation:

This option captures the conclusion perfectly because it reveals the conservative effort that can be implemented to save chimney swifts from total extinction. Also, this option resonates perfectly with the concluding part of the passage.

Answer 2

1. Which of the following best summarize the passage?

A. The diminishing numbers of chimney swift can be reversed by simple conservation efforts

This statement covers the main point of the passage: The number of these small, slender birds has decreased over the years due to habitat loss, but, since they are very adaptable, this situation can be reversed by doing simple conservation efforts, like keeping traditional masonry chimneys uncapped.

2. Which of the following can be inferred from the information in the passage?

D. The chimney swift's adaptability was severely hindered around 1970s

In the text, the author mentions that around this time the chimney swift populations started to decline sharply due primarily to habitat loss (Their environment was changed due to logging, deforestation, and the use of prefabricated chimneys), which help us infer that their adaptability was severely hindered around this time.

3. The first paragraph in the passage on chimney swifts includes this description: "...large colonies of hundreds, or even thousands, of individuals form tornado-like funnels." Why does the author include this in the passage?

B. It provides the reader with an engaging image

These words create a vivid picture in our mind that helps us see how the chimney swifts move.

4. Based on the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. The author provides facts to support the main idea

To support the main idea, the author uses facts: he or she explains when the chimney swift population started to decline, and for what reasons (mainly due to deforestation, lodging, and prefabricated chimneys), and proves, with examples, how adaptable these birds are.

5. Which of the following lists support the main idea of the passage?

B. Logging and deforestation, changes in the ways we heat our buildings, and chimney capping have robbed the chimney swift of its preferred roosting sites.

The chimney swifts' preferred spaces to roost and nest are long, enclosed, hollow spaces, such as trees and chimney lined with clay, where they can cling to and make their nests, but the changes that we, as humans, have made in the environment, have robbed the chimney swift of its preferred roosting sites.

6. Which of the following conclusions can the reader make from the passage?

B. Chimney swifts can easily adapt roosting behaviors to any structure made of the proper material

When logging and deforestation started to take away from chimney swifts their preferred natural home, this species successfully adapted to chimneys lined with clay, where they could cling to and make their nests. From this, we can conclude that  Chimney swifts can easily adapt roosting behaviors to any structure made of the proper material.