Direction: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Colonialism had a great impact on the lives of the aboriginal Australians who were eventually ______ (1) ______ by the whites with all power and privilege. The colonisers turned their land into rubbish pits and ______ (2) ______ sites for their own betterment. The aborigines were often ______ (3) ______ as sub-humans with low status and dirty habits. The whites not only displaced the tribes off their homeland but also ______ (4) ______ the beauty and balance of the natural world. An increase in deforestation and destruction of traditional land led ______ (5) ______ like emu, eagle, and kangaroo, among many others to dwindle over time.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
fauna
Understanding the Passage and Blank 5
The passage describes the negative impact of colonialism on the aboriginal Australians and their environment. It discusses how the indigenous people were displaced and how their land was damaged. Blank number 5 is part of a sentence explaining the consequence of environmental destruction:
"An increase in deforestation and destruction of traditional land led ______ (5) ______ like emu, eagle, and kangaroo, among many others to dwindle over time."
We need to find a word that collectively refers to animals such as emu, eagle, and kangaroo, whose populations decreased (dwindled) as a result of habitat loss caused by deforestation and land destruction.
Analyzing the Options for Blank 5
Let's look at the meanings of the given options:
- fauna: This refers to the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
- pets: This refers to domesticated animals kept for companionship or pleasure.
- thugs: This refers to violent criminals or ruffians.
- homies: This is an informal term for friends or associates.
Determining the Most Appropriate Word
The sentence specifically mentions emu, eagle, and kangaroo. These are types of animals. The impact described is the dwindling (decreasing in number) of these creatures due to environmental damage (deforestation, destruction of land). We need a word that describes these animals as a group.
- 'Pets' is incorrect because emus, eagles, and kangaroos in the wild are not pets.
- 'Thugs' is incorrect as this refers to violent people, not animals.
- 'Homies' is incorrect as this refers to friends, not animals.
- 'Fauna' is the correct term for animals living in a particular area or habitat. Emu, eagle, and kangaroo are part of the Australian fauna.
Therefore, the destruction of land led to the fauna, such as emu, eagle, and kangaroo, to dwindle.
Explanation of the Answer
The context of the sentence requires a word that groups together the animals listed (emu, eagle, kangaroo) and explains why their numbers decreased. The term 'fauna' is the scientific and general word used to describe all the animals of a specific region. Since the passage is discussing the impact on the natural world and its inhabitants due to deforestation and land destruction, 'fauna' fits perfectly to describe the collective group of animals affected, leading to their decline.
Revision Table: Passage Blanks Context
| Blank Number | Context in Passage | Type of Word Needed |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | aboriginal Australians who were eventually ______ by the whites | Verb describing how indigenous people were treated/overtaken |
| (2) | rubbish pits and ______ sites for their own betterment | Noun describing another type of undesirable site created on the land |
| (3) | aborgines were often ______ as sub-humans | Verb describing how the indigenous people were regarded/treated |
| (4) | whites not only displaced the tribes...but also ______ the beauty and balance of the natural world | Verb describing the negative action taken upon nature |
| (5) | led ______ like emu, eagle, and kangaroo...to dwindle | Collective noun for animals |
Additional Information: Impact of Habitat Loss on Fauna
Habitat loss is a major threat to biodiversity globally. When natural habitats like forests, grasslands, and wetlands are destroyed or degraded, the animals (fauna) that depend on these areas lose their food sources, shelter, and breeding grounds. This can lead to a decrease in population size, fragmentation of animal populations, and ultimately, an increased risk of extinction for many species. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting and restoring habitats to help preserve the native fauna.
Similar Questions
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 2.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 3.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 4.
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Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 1
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in blank space (1)?
What would come in blank space (2)?
What would come in blank space (3)?
What would come in blank space (4)?
What would come in blank space (5)?
