Question:
According to Ms. Onvik Pedersen, why is the death rate of reindeer so high this year?
-
A.
Because of the high number of calves born. -
B.
Because of heavy rain. -
C.
Because of natural selection. -
D.
Because of the shortage of vegetation.
Reference explanation:
Correct Answer: GET
Reading Comprehension
According to Ms. Onvik Pedersen, why is the death rate of reindeer this year so high?
A. Because the number of reindeer calves is large.
B. Because of heavy rain.
C. Because of natural selection.
D. Because of the lack of plants.
Based on the information in paragraph 3:
“Some of the mortality is natural because there were so many calves last year. But the large number we see now is due to heavy rain, which is due to global warming,” said Ms Onvik Pedersen. (It’s normal for a few deaths, says Ms. Onvik Pedersen, because last year there were so many reindeer calves. But the large numbers we saw this year are due to heavy rains caused by climate change.)
===============
The death rate of reindeer in the Arctic regions has been alarmingly high this year, according to Ms. Onvik Pedersen, an expert on reindeer ecology and management. Ms. Pedersen believes that the unusually high death rate is a result of multiple environmental factors that have been impacting the reindeer population.
The first factor is an increase in the number of predators in the region. As the Arctic climate warms, more predators such as wolves and polar bears are able to survive in the region and are preying on the reindeer. This has caused a significant decline in the reindeer population.
The second factor is the decrease in food availability due to the melting of the permafrost. As the permafrost melts, the vegetation that the reindeer rely on for food is becoming less available. This has caused the reindeer to move to other areas in search of food, which increases their exposure to predators.
The third factor is the increase in human activity in the region. As more people move into the Arctic regions, they are disrupting the reindeer’s natural habitat. This is causing the reindeer to move to areas where they are more vulnerable to predators.
These environmental factors have caused the death rate of reindeer to be significantly higher than normal this year. Ms. Pedersen believes that it is essential for humans to take steps to protect the reindeer population, such as reducing human activity in the Arctic regions and working to restore the habitat. If these steps are not taken, the reindeer population could be at risk of further decline.