The Everglades

What are the Everglades?

• a wetland ecosystem

• a coniferous forest

• a mountain range

• a tropical jungle

One of the problems explained in the passage is that the Everglades lose some of their water to the coast due to draining.

What is one solution to this problem?

• releasing more pythons in the Everglades

• initiating the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan

• creating more park and tourism jobs for humans

• introducing invasive plant species in the ecosystem of the Everglades

In the passage, the author explains that biodiversity allows species to have different choices for survival and strengthens an ecosystem by ensuring lots of options for hungry animals.

Based on this evidence, what conclusion can be made?

• Biodiversity is a buzzword.

• Biodiversity is a good thing.

• Biodiversity can only happen in large ecosystems.

• Biodiversity is another term for "simple food chain."

Read the following excerpt from the passage: "Humans have benefited from the Everglades in many ways, from the creation of park and tourism jobs to the water supply that keeps the cities and agriculture of Southern Florida running. If the wetlands suffer, so do humans."

Based on the evidence in this excerpt, how might humans suffer when wetlands suffer?

• They may stop creating national parks in Florida to protect the wetlands.

• They may be disappointed when they can no longer see pythons in the wild.

• They may lose access to good jobs and safe water supplies for drinking and farming.

• They may lose access to alligators and other animals as food supplies.

What is this passage mostly about?

• the proper care and feeding of snakes

• the tourism industry of Southern Florida

• the problems of the Everglades and how they are being addressed

• the ideas scientists have for fixing the Everglades

Read the following sentences:

"The word commonly used to describe the relative number of different species in an ecosystem is 'biodiversity," and the more biodiversity within the ecosystem, the more complex the food web.

As used in the passage, what does the word "biodiversity" mean?

• a community of connected animals and plants

• the variety of life within an ecosystem

• a chain of animals and plants dependent on each other for food

• consisting of many different and connected parts

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Living things can bounce back from damaging situations, _______ if they have some help cleaning up the mess.

• even

• alternatively

• especially

• finally