Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions below.

Life on Earth is in the throes of a new wave of mass extinction, unlike anything since the demise of the dinosaurs. In the last 500 years, 844 species are known to have died out, and up to 16,000 others are now known to be threatened. Conservationists argue that humans have an ethical obligation to protect other species. Diversity and natural beauty are highly prized by mankind, and that biodiversity is a vital resource: we rely on ecosystems to provide food, oxygen and natural resources, recycle waste and fertilize soil for agriculture. The total value of services provided to man by nature has been estimated at $33 trillion annually. Plants and animals are also an essential source of new foods and medicines worldwide. Preserving species could help protect us from disease.

Natural disasters and processes were behind the five major mass extinctions in geological history, but the current “sixth extinction” is being caused by the success of one species- humans. The six billion (and counting) people crowding the Earth, are driving out biodiversity in a variety of ways. Humans began to destroy ecosystems a major way about 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture.

But within the last 100,000 years, the hunting and burning practices of people, along with climate change, drove many large mammals to extinction. However, the most common reason for extinction is habitat loss. Ecosystems from wetlands to prairies and rain forests to coral reefs are being cleared or degraded for crops, cattle, roads and development. Even fragmenting habitats with roads or dams can make them more vulnerable.

 (Source: Succeed in Cambridge CAE 10 Practice Tests)

What is the main focus of this passage?

• A. Our endangered wildlife
• B. Life on Earth
• C. Biodiversity
• D. Ecosystem

• Câu 2: Mã câu hỏi: 40203

  The word “died out” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

  • A. destroyed
  • B. used up
  • C. been extinct
  • D. polluted

• Câu 3: Mã câu hỏi: 40204

  The word “Preserving” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

  • A. Destroying
  • B. Conserving
  • C. Continuing
  • D. Keeping

• Câu 4: Mã câu hỏi: 40223

  According to the passage, the “sixth extinction” is being caused by ______.

  • A. roads and dams
  • B. climate change
  • C. development
  • D. human beings

• Câu 5: Mã câu hỏi: 40225

  According to the reading passage, what is the main reason for extinction?

  • A. burning
  • B. climate change
  • C. habitat loss
  • D. hunting

• Câu 6: Mã câu hỏi: 40226

  The word “them” in paragraph 3 refers to ______.

  • A. habitats
  • B. rainforests
  • C. roads or dams
  • D. mammals

• Câu 7: Mã câu hỏi: 40229

  The following are true EXCEPT ______.

  • A. Within the last 100,000 years, the hunting and burning practices of people, along with climate change, drove many large mammals to extinction.
  • B. In the last 500 years, 844 species are known to have died out.
  • C. In the last 500 years, up to 16,000 species are now known to be threatened.
  • D. Humans began to destroy ecosystems a major way about 100,000 years ago with the development of agriculture.

• Câu 8: Mã câu hỏi: 40232

  Why do plants and animals play an essential part in our life?

  • A. Because they provide us dinosaurs.
  • B. Because they provide us food and medicine.
  • C. Because they are threatened.
  • D. Because they are natural beauty.