Question

The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
For millennia, in the process of opening up land for agriculture, gardens, grazing and hunting, humans have created ecological “mosaics”, or “patchworks”: landscapes holding a mixture of habitats, like meadows, gardens and forests. These were not designed as nature reserves, but often catered to hugely diverse animal life. Research indicates that European hay meadows cultivated for animal feed were actually more successful at preserving a vast array of species than meadows explicitly cultivated for biodiversity. Studying the early Holocene, researchers have found that human presence was about as likely to increase biodiversity as reduce it. Of course, not all human-created landscapes have the same value. A paved subdivision with astroturfed lawns is very different to a village with diverse vegetable and flower gardens. But scientists continue to find evidence that the old idea of humans as antithetical to nature is also wrong-headed, and that rosy visions of thriving, human-free environments are more imaginary than real.

• A. Contrary to the idea that humans always hurt nature and that it thrives in their absence, a lot of human action across history has been equally likely to increase biodiversity than reduce it, often creating varied ecological landscapes that support a vast array of species.
• B. In our attempts to shape the world around us to our needs, humans have often created landscapes like meadows, gardens, and forests, which support hugely diverse species, and are more successful at preserving them than parks created specifically for this.
• C. Studying the early Holocene and human practices over millennia, researchers say that while agricultural meadows, gardens, and forests were not explicitly designed as nature reserves, they actually preserved a vast array of species, belying the idea that humans harm nature.
• D. In terms of preserving biodiversity, scientists are finding increasing evidence that human action is not always antithetical to nature, but often assists the preservation of meadows, landscapes, and flourishing of species.

Hint:

Human activity can often support biodiversity through the creation of diverse landscapes, such as gardens and meadows, which can be as effective as natural reserves in preserving species.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Passage: 
The passage discusses the role of human activity in the creation of landscapes that foster biodiversity. While human presence has traditionally been thought to harm nature, the passage reveals that human-designed environments can support a vast array of species. It highlights the long-standing role of humans in preserving biodiversity through activities like creating meadows, gardens, and forests. 
Step 2: Analysis of Options: 
- (1) This option aligns well with the passage, stating that human action has been as likely to increase biodiversity as reduce it. It supports the idea of human-created ecological mosaics. 
- (2) While this option discusses the role of human-designed landscapes, it does not fully capture the essence of the passage that emphasizes the balanced impact on biodiversity. 
- (3) This option is accurate in describing human-created landscapes but does not focus on the broader impact on biodiversity as much as option (1). 
- (4) This option correctly identifies the positive impact of human action on biodiversity but does not capture the key idea that human-created landscapes support biodiversity equally to natural ones. 
Step 3: Conclusion: 
Option (1) best captures the essence of the passage, highlighting the balanced impact of human action on biodiversity.