Understanding the Passage and Blank (4)

The passage discusses the potential negative impacts of tourism, focusing specifically on environmental damage. It explains how constructing resorts without considering local architecture or ecology harms natural systems.

The sentence containing blank (4) is: "Natural systems get (4)______ as a result of indiscriminate construction to provide water (5)______ waste disposal facilities along with recreational arrangements to tourists."

We need to choose a word that describes what happens to natural systems when there is "indiscriminate construction" for tourism facilities. The context implies a negative consequence, a state of being harmed or ruined.

Analyzing Options for Blank (4)

Let's examine the given options for blank (4):

1. destroyed: This means ruined, devastated, or put to an end.
2. displayed: This means shown or exhibited.
3. distracted: This means having attention drawn away.
4. dismayed: This means feeling distress or shock, usually applicable to people.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Word for Blank (4)

The passage talks about the "greatest concern" being "damage to the environment" caused by construction that ignores ecology. Indiscriminate construction that provides facilities but disregards natural systems would logically lead to the natural systems being severely harmed or ruined.

• 'destroyed' fits this context perfectly. Natural systems can be destroyed by construction (e.g., habitats cleared, rivers diverted, ecosystems ruined).
• 'displayed' does not fit, as natural systems are not 'displayed' by construction in this sense; construction usually alters or removes them.
• 'distracted' does not fit, as 'distracted' is typically used for attention, not for physical systems being affected by construction.
• 'dismayed' does not fit, as 'dismayed' describes a feeling of distress or shock, which is applicable to people, not natural systems.

Therefore, the word that best describes the negative effect of indiscriminate construction on natural systems in this context is 'destroyed'.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the passage and the options, the most appropriate word to fill blank (4) is "destroyed", as it accurately reflects the negative impact of indiscriminate construction on natural systems mentioned in the text.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary in the Passage

Additional Information: Tourism and Environmental Impact

Tourism can bring economic benefits but often has significant environmental costs if not managed sustainably. Understanding these impacts is crucial.

• Habitat Destruction: Building hotels, roads, and other infrastructure clears land, destroying animal habitats and ecosystems.
• Pollution: Increased waste, sewage, plastic use, and emissions from transport and facilities pollute air, water, and soil.
• Resource Depletion: Tourism can strain local resources, especially water and energy, particularly in sensitive areas.
• Impact on Biodiversity: Disturbance from tourists, introduction of invasive species, and habitat loss threaten local wildlife and plant life.
• Coastal and Marine Effects: Construction on coastlines, damage to coral reefs from anchors or tourists, and pollution harm marine environments.

Sustainable tourism practices aim to minimise these negative effects by involving local communities, preserving the environment, and managing resources responsibly.