Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it. The blowout of an Oil India Limited (OIL) gas well in Assam’s Tinsukia district last week is causing extensive damage to biodiversity and wildlife in the region, including the endangered hoolock gibbons and Gangetic dolphins. Baghjan, where the gas well blowout occurred on 27 May, is close to the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, the Maguri-Motapung wetlands, and the forest villages of Barekuri which are habitat to the hoolock gibbon. Uncontrollable gas flow is continuing from the gas well. “What we are seeing is complete horror. Condensed oil is leaking continuously. The MaguriMotapung wetlands (an important bird and biodiversity area) is very badly affected. There is a thick layer of crude oil on the water. Fish are dying and some cattle that graze in the adjacent wetlands are also dead,” said Mridupaban Phukon, a student and wildlife activist. “We have been informed by people in Barekuri villages that condensed oil is coating leaves and has started affecting the hoolock gibbon habitat. If not contained immediately the wetlands and national park will be devastated,” he said. Around 650 families have been evacuated from the affected areas and continue to be camped in three relief camps. “I visited the area on Sunday but it was barricaded. I could see the damage everywhere. Dead fish were floating and the vegetation is brown now. One Gangetic dolphin died soon after the leak. Usually the Maguri jheel is rich with birdlife, I could hardly spot any birds that day. I appeal for immediate help,” said Nabamita Ray, a doctor and wildlife enthusiast. Oil India’s crisis management team (CMT) members have started pumping water through the casing valve. Water is being pumped continuously through the valve into the well head. Oil India has also contacted global experts to control the blowout. The water pumps are being installed in the nearby river (source of water) and pipeline-laying work is in progress. A blowout is the uncontrolled release of crude oil or natural gas from an oil well or gas well after pressure control systems have failed. Dibru-Saikhowa has recorded over 40 mammals, 500 species of birds, 104 fish species, 105 butterfly species and 680 types of plants. It harbours tigers, elephants, wild buffalos, leopards, hoolock gibbons, capped langurs, slow lorises, Gangetic dolphins, besides critically endangered bird species such as the Bengal florican, white-winged duck, greater adjutant stork, white-rumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, and the very rare and endemic black-breasted parrotbill. All these are facing threat from the uncontrolled flow of the oil.
Match the words (a, b, c) with their meaning (1, 2, 3). a. extensive 1. adjoining b. adjacent 2. thickened c. condensed 3. widespread
a - 3, b - 1, c - 2
Understanding Vocabulary from the Passage
The question asks us to match words from the provided passage about the Oil India Limited gas well blowout with their correct meanings. Let's examine each word and its usage in the text to find the best match.
Analyzing Word Meanings in Context
We need to match the words extensive, adjacent, and condensed with the meanings adjoining, thickened, and widespread.
- Extensive: The passage says the blowout is "causing extensive damage to biodiversity and wildlife". When something causes "extensive damage", it means the damage covers a large area or is significant in scope. Looking at the potential meanings, 'widespread' fits this context well. 'Adjoining' means next to, and 'thickened' refers to consistency. Therefore, 'extensive' matches 'widespread'.
- Adjacent: The passage mentions the "adjacent wetlands" and "adjacent wetlands are also dead". This means the wetlands are located next to or bordering the area where something else is mentioned (presumably near the blowout site or Barekuri villages). The meaning 'adjoining' means next to or bordering. This aligns perfectly with the usage of 'adjacent' in the passage. 'Thickened' and 'widespread' do not fit. Therefore, 'adjacent' matches 'adjoining'.
- Condensed: The passage states that "Condensed oil is leaking continuously" and "condensed oil is coating leaves". This describes the state or form of the oil that is leaking. 'Condensed' in this context suggests the oil has become thicker or more concentrated than perhaps expected in its natural flowing state. 'Thickened' means made or having become thicker or more consistent. This meaning fits the description of the oil coating surfaces. 'Adjoining' and 'widespread' are irrelevant to the state of the oil. Therefore, 'condensed' matches 'thickened'.
Summary of Matches
Based on the analysis of each word's context in the passage:
- a. extensive → 3. widespread
- b. adjacent → 1. adjoining
- c. condensed → 2. thickened
This gives us the mapping: a - 3, b - 1, c - 2.
| Word | Meaning in Context | Match Number |
|---|---|---|
| a. extensive | widespread | 3 |
| b. adjacent | adjoining | 1 |
| c. condensed | thickened | 2 |
Conclusion
The correct matching is extensive with widespread, adjacent with adjoining, and condensed with thickened.
Revision Table: Passage Vocabulary
| Word from Passage | Context in Passage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Extensive | "...causing extensive damage..." | Widespread, far-reaching, large-scale |
| Adjacent | "...adjacent wetlands..." | Next to, bordering, adjoining |
| Condensed | "Condensed oil is leaking..." | Thickened, made denser, concentrated |
Additional Information: Understanding Context Clues
Understanding the meaning of words is crucial for comprehension, especially in reading passages. When you encounter an unfamiliar word, looking at the words and sentences around it can provide valuable clues about its meaning. This is called using context clues.
- For 'extensive', the phrase "extensive damage to biodiversity and wildlife" tells us the damage is significant and covers a lot of ground or affects many types of organisms, implying a large or widespread effect.
- For 'adjacent', the phrase "adjacent wetlands" being located near a place or affected area suggests they are next to it.
- For 'condensed oil', the description that it is "leaking continuously" and "coating leaves" helps us understand its physical state — it's not thin like water, but likely thicker or stickier, fitting the idea of being thickened or more viscous.
Developing the skill to use context clues can greatly improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension.
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