Reading Comprehension: Inference Questions
The passage suggests which of the following about human interactions with large carnivores?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]Although the passage certainly indicates that humans are in some ways the ultimate predator, and passage does not suggest that humans are at risk from large carnivores. In fact, the passage tells us that it is the large carnivores that are risk from human activities.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]The passage does not support the idea that ecosystem ecologists are concerned with why a large carnivore species is at risk, but rather would be focused on the results this would have on other species in the ecosystem.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]Although the passage tells us that ranchers tend to target large carnivores to protect the livestock they are raising, the passage does not preclude alternative methods of ranching that would minimize or eliminate the impact on top-level predators.
Excellent!
[[snippet]]The passage tells us that for millions of years ecosystems have been in relative equilibrium; that is until the actions of humans altered this balance. Therefore, were it not for the impact of people, these large carnivores would still be in equilibrium with the other species in their ecosystems.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]The last paragraph tells us that there is optimism that top-level predators' populations can be restored to their earlier levels. Additionally, we know from our Initial Reading that changes in one trophic level can have unpredictable consequences on other trophic levels. Therefore, it is not possible to predict exactly what will happen when large carnivores are returned to their ecosystems.
