SAT Chapter 11 Extra Practice

What is the central idea/passage mapping for the 8 paragraphs?

Answer explanation

P1: SW=uncommon, hard to track

Aud studied SW.

P2: why SW=vulnerable

habitats disappearing

P3: need to truly understand habitat

birds made their own new habitat

P4: SW uses pine plantations used in industry

P5: ideal conditions for birds-undergrowth

P6: birds need space- acres

P7: only some plantations=useful

P8: pine will become primary habitat

The central idea of the passage is primarily concerned with

• the impact of deforestation on endangered birds throughout North America and the Caribbean.

• how industrial pine plantations have affected the manufacturing of wood-based commercial goods.

• how the population of the Swainson's warbler is recovering despite the destruction of the bird's natural habitat.

• the ways in which scientists have struggled to increase populations of the Swainson's warbler.

Answer explanation

Reading/Global Question

Think about the central idea of the passage. Eliminate answer choices such as A and D that contain supporting details for the central idea. The correct answer will be an idea that is supported by all of the details in the passage.

The passage is mostly about how the Swainson's warbler population has begun to recover after its natural habitat was reduced by deforestation.

The author refers to the Allen's hummingbird, spotted owl, and osprey in lines 11-12 to

• contrast the habitat needs of the Swainson's warbler with that of other bird species.

• illustrate the difficulties faced by conservationists attempting to protect threatened birds.

• provide examples of other birds threatened by the disappearance of their habitats.

• imply that more species of birds will find alternative habitats as deforestation continues.

Answer explanation

Reading/Rhetoric

Review your notes for the first paragraph. Consider the central idea of the paragraph and how it relates to the central idea of the passage. Select the answer choice that most accurately describes the purpose this sentence serves in the passage.

The author mentions these other species of birds to give examples of other animals that are at risk because their habitats have been destroyed.

Based on the information in the passage, conservation efforts to protect the Swainson's warbler have been unsuccessful because scientists have

• been unable to track the Swainson's warbler population.

• not had the resources to move the birds to new habitats.

• not understood the bird's habitat needs.

• been unable to get the birds to breed in captivity.

Answer explanation

Reading/Inference Question

Review your paragraph 3 notes. How did the scientists attempt to preserve the population of the Swainson's warbler? The correct answer should paraphrase your own idea.

In lines 30-36 of paragraph 3, the author explains that previous attempts at conservation have been unsuccessful because scientists did not understand what the birds need in a habitat. Matches C.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 4-6 ("Scientists struggle ... track?")

• Lines 18-21 ("During breeding ... lowlands")

• Lines 30-34 ("Scientists have been ... habitat needs")

• Lines 58-60 ("When the pines ... birds")

Answer explanation

Reading/Command of Evidence

Locate each of the answer choices in the passage. The correct answer should provide direct support for the answer to the previous question.

In paragraph 3, the author describes why previous conservation efforts by scientists have failed.

As used in line 26, "conversion" most nearly means __________.

• translation.

• destruction.

• variation.

• transformation.

Answer explanation

Reading/Vocab-In-Context

Replace conversion in the sentence with each of the answer choices. Consider which word makes the most sense in context.

In this sentence, "transformation" can replace "conversion" without changing the overall meaning.

Based on the information in the passage, the reader can infer that __________.

• bird populations will continue to decrease if their natural habitats are destroyed

• The Swainson's warbler's population will decease again if more pine forests are not planted

• the profitability of the pine forests is increased by the presence of the Swainson's warbler

• populations of other endangered birds would increase if they moved to private sanctuaries

Answer explanation

Reading/Inference

Look for the answer choice that is directly supported by the evidence in the text. Eliminate answer choices that are related to the main topic but go too far.

In paragraph 1, the author discusses the risk of extinction of other birds due to a decrease in their habitats. Choice A is correct because it is the most directly supported by the evidence in the passage.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 1-4 (As our environment...warbler")

• Lines 11-14 ("Others, such as...disappearing")

• Lines 43-44 ("Millions of acres...1920s")

• Lines 51-52 ("The pine plantations...wildlife")

Answer explanation

Reading/Command of Evidence

Use your reasoning for answering the previous question to figure out where in the passage the best evidence for that answer will come from.

The details in paragraph 1 provide the most direct support for the idea that more birds will become extinct if their habitats continue to disappear.

The primary purpose of this passage is to __________.

• argue that more must be done to protect endangered species

• persuade readers to learn more about how they can help protect birds

• summarize the ways that conservation groups have failed to protect endangered birds.

• explain how one threatened species of bird has adapted to its disappearing habitat.

Answer explanation

Reading/Global

Consider the central idea of the passage and the message conveyed by the information included. Select the answer that most closely explains what the author wants to relate to the reader.

This passage is mostly about how the Swainson's warbler has adapted after losing much of its natural habitat. The author's purpose is to explain how this happened.

The migration of the Swainson’s warbler to industrial pine forests is most similar to which of the following?

• Beavers building dams using sticks and logs

• Spiders creating cobwebs in bushes and trees

• Aquatic animals creating artificial reefs from shipwrecks

• Raccoons foraging for food in garbage bins

Answer explanation

Reading/Inference

Think about the process undertaken in each of the answer choices and compare it to the Swainson's warbler's migrating to a new, man-made habitat.

The migration of the Swainson's warbler to pine forests planted by humans is most similar to aquatic animals making new homes from shipwrecks. In both instances, animals have taken something created by humans and made it into a home.