The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Gradually, life for the island's birds is improving. Antarctic prions and white-headed petrels, which also nest in burrows, had managed to cling on in some sites while pests were on the island. Their numbers are now increasing. "It's fantastic and so exciting," Shaw says. As birds return to breed, they also poo. This adds nutrients to the soil, which in turn helps the plants to grow back stronger. Tall plants then help burrowing birds hide from predatory skuas. "It's this wonderful feedback loop," Shaw says. Today, the "pretty paddock" that Houghton first experienced has been transformed. "The tussock is over your head, and you're dodging all these penguin tunnels," she says. The orchids and tiny herb that had been protected by fencing have started turning up all over the place.
Gradually, life for the island's birds is improving. Antarctic prions and white-headed petrels, which also nest in burrows, had managed to cling on in some sites while pests were on the island. Their numbers are now increasing. "It's fantastic and so exciting," Shaw says. As birds return to breed, they also poo. This adds nutrients to the soil, which in turn helps the plants to grow back stronger. Tall plants then help burrowing birds hide from predatory skuas. "It's this wonderful feedback loop," Shaw says. Today, the "pretty paddock" that Houghton first experienced has been transformed. "The tussock is over your head, and you're dodging all these penguin tunnels," she says. The orchids and tiny herb that had been protected by fencing have started turning up all over the place.
- There is an increasing number of predatory birds and plants on the island despite the presence of pests which is a positive development.
- Flowering plants, herbs and birds are now being protected on this wonderful Antarctic island.
- There is a huge positive transformation of the ecosystem of the island when brought under environmental protection.
- In the absence of pests, life on the island is now protected, and there has been a revival of a variety of birds and plants.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The passage describes the gradual enhancement of life on the island, particularly benefiting birds like Antarctic prions and white-headed petrels. It emphasizes the increasing population of these birds as pest control measures are implemented on the island. With pests under control, the birds can return, breed, and contribute positively to the ecosystem. Additionally, the passage notes how bird droppings enrich the soil with nutrients, promoting plant growth.
Overall, Option D effectively encapsulates the central theme of the passage: the rejuvenation and enhancement of island life due to pest eradication and its positive effects on birds and plants.
Option A erroneously suggests a rise in predatory bird numbers, contradicting the positive developments outlined in the passage.
Option B is inaccurate as the passage does not explicitly attribute the positive changes solely to this protection measure.
Option C is more general and does not specifically highlight the absence of pests as a critical factor in the positive transformation described in the passage.
So, the correct option is (D): In the absence of pests, life on the island is now protected, and there has been a revival of a variety of birds and plants.
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