McGraw-Hill's Conquering the New GRE Verbal and Writing by Kathy A. Zahler

Author:Kathy A. Zahler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McGraw Hill LLC
Published: 2011-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

FORMAT TIP

Do not be alarmed if you find only one correct solution for a “select all” question. Any such question may have one, two, or three solutions.

READING COMPREHENSION DRILL 1

Read the passage and answer the questions. Answers appear at the end of the drill sets.

Questions 1–3 are based on the following passage.

Purple loosestrife, with its attractive spiky stems and flowers, does not just propagate and cross-pollinate wildly; it also adapts easily to changes in environment. As it starts up in a new area, it quickly outcompetes native grasses, sedges, and other flowering plants, forming dense stands of purple loosestrife where once heterogeneous wetland meadows existed. This not only eradicates the native plants, but also it removes food sources for migratory birds and other animals.

In recent years, purple loosestrife has had a devastating impact on native cattails and wild rice. It has invaded and destroyed spawning areas for fish. In rural areas, it is beginning to move away from wetlands and adapt to drier areas, encroaching on agricultural lands. In urban areas, it is blocking pipes and drainage canals. It has moved steadily westward and is now found in all states but Florida.

Attempts to control purple loosestrife have been only partially successful. It has proved resistant to many herbicides, and it is impervious to burning, as its rootstock lies beneath the surface and can reproduce from there. It can be mowed down and plowed under, and then replaced with a less invasive plant. This is very labor intensive in marshy areas that are substantially overgrown, but it may be the only way of eliminating the pest.

1. According to the passage, all of these are true EXCEPT:

Purple loosestrife propagates through an underground system.

Purple loosestrife has even affected the survival of fish.

Purple loosestrife is best eradicated through controlled burning.

Purple loosestrife is sometimes found in urban areas.

Purple loosestrife is found in the wetlands of most states.

For questions 2 and 3, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.

2. Which fact or facts about purple loosestrife add to its power of endurance?

It has a great ability to cross-pollinate.

It easily adapts to environmental change.

It has spiky stems and flowers.

3. According to the passage, where would purple loosestrife easily thrive?

in the subtropical swamps of central Florida

in the wetland meadows of eastern Michigan

along the inland waterways of North Carolina

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.