Reading Passage Question
Any gardener recognizes the value of pollinating insects. Various insects perform an essential service in the production of seed and fruit. The survival of plants depends on pollination. You may not have thought much about the role honey bees play in our everyday food supply. It is estimated that in North America around 30 percent of the food we consume is produced from bee-pollinated plants. Bees also pollinate crops, such as clover and alfalfa that cattle feed on, making bees important to our production and consumption of meat and dairy. The value of pollination by bees is estimated at around $16 billion in the United States alone.
These are more than interesting facts; these are realities with devastating consequences if bees were to disappear. And sadly, the health of honey bees has been compromised in recent years. Indeed a spring without bees could endanger our food supply and impact our economy. It’s a story that has become headline news in the media.
“Any gardener recognizes the value of pollinating insects”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage. The candidates should go through the English GMAT reading comprehension thoroughly in order to analyse the passage carefully. This section of GMAT Reading Comprehension is followed by six comprehension questions with answers. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions ask the candidate to choose the correct answer by comprehending the scope of the passage. It tests the candidates’ skillfulness to apply knowledge or concepts. The candidate can improve their knowledge by practising GMAT Reading Comprehension practice Questions.
Solutions and Explanation
- Which of the following statements most accurately captures the purpose of the first paragraph in the passage?
(A) The first paragraph introduces the concern that the author has about the decline of bees.
(B) The first paragraph builds the author’s case that bees are in decline with statistical analysis.
(C) The first paragraph is an anecdotal look at what will happen if bees decline.
(D) The first paragraph presents the counter-argument that the second paragraph undercuts.
(E) The first paragraph provides an overview of how beneficial bees are to our world, so as to make the impact of losing them clearer when presented later.
Answer: (E)
Explanation: The primary purpose of the first paragraph of the passage deals with the significant value of bees to the world. The passage also states the devastating consequences that the world faced for losing bees in the second paragraph. Therefore, option E is the correct answer as it depicts the relevant facts discussed in the passage. The remaining options are irrelevant and thereby go out of scope.
- According to the passage, which two types of food might be impacted if the bee population in the United States declined?
(A) Pork and produce
(B) Beef and dairy
(C) Ice cream and milk
(D) Grains and produce
(E) Chickens and dairy
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage illustrates the importance of bees in the United States. The bees pollinate crops like alfalfa and clover that are fed by the cattle. The bees play a vital role in the consumption and production of dairy and beef. Therefore, option B is the correct answer since the reduction of bees would impact the production of beef and dairy. The rest of the options thereby get eliminated.
- What can be reasonably inferred about the decline in bees from the second paragraph?
(A) The health of honey bees has been so compromised in recent years that a spring without them is a possibility.
(B) Honeybees are often needlessly slaughtered.
(C) Honeybees produce 30 percent of the food we consume.
(D) Honeybees are our most valuable insect.
(E) Honeybees are on the brink of extinction.
Answer: (A)
Explanation: The second paragraph of the passage infers that the health conditions of bees have been compromised in the current years. This is due to the fact in recent years there is a possibility of declination in the number of bees in the spring season. Therefore, option A is the correct answer since it holds the accurate facts as described in the passage. The rest of the options thus get out of scope.
- The author’s attitude toward the possible decline in bee population could best be characterized as which of the following?
(A) Hysterical disbelief
(B) Easy-going acceptance
(C) Concerned and alert
(D) Realistically accepting
(E) Deviously scheming
Answer: (C)
Explanation: The attitude of the author towards the decline in the number of bees can be regarded as alert and concerning. The author of the passage aims to deliver the significant value of bees in the life of humans. Therefore, option C is the correct answer since it satisfies the criteria of the passage. The remaining options hence get eliminated.
- Which of the following statements might best summarize the author’s suggestion for what should next be done about the declining bee population?
(A) A twenty-year study, noting the declining numbers, should be undertaken.
(B) The nations of the world must band together to do everything in their power to keep the bees from further declining.
(C) There’s nothing to be done; the decline is already happening.
(D) Scientists who have been studying bees should provide suggestions about how the rest of us can help, including keeping hives.
(E) Bees should be kept only by those who are licensed and trained to do so.
Answer: (D)
Explanation: As per the discussion of the passage, the author suggests that the decline of bees would be very harmful to humans. It would not only impact the food supply chain but also the economic ground. Therefore scientists should provide suggestions about the ways of keeping bee hives. Therefore, option D is the correct answer as it appears precisely contrary to what the author intends to say. The other options are incorrect and hence get out of scope.
- Which of the following is the best substitute for the word compromised (Highlighted) as used in the passage?
(A) Made up of
(B) Vowed to
(C) An agreement made by previously antagonistic parties, in which each changes their position in order to reach consensus
(D) A binding agreement.
(E) To expose to danger in some way
Answer: (E)
Explanation: The word “compromised” is used in the passage in order to depict the worse health condition of the honey bees in the current years. The author illustrates that the bees are exposed to danger and their population is gradually decreasing due to some reasons. Therefore, option E is the correct answer as it meets the discussion of the passage. The remaining options hence get eliminated.
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