Example: Short Passage

Short Passage

Hibiscandelphis wilderianus, a kin of the hibiscus, a beloved flower thriving in tropical climates, was restricted in its distribution. It was exclusively found on the lava fields of Mount Haleakala on Maui Island in Hawaii. It probably went extinct between 1911 and 1915, when ranchers slashed the forest to make room to raise cattle. In 2020, the scent was recreated using DNA from a preserved specimen.

Question

What is the function of the underlined portion in the overall structure of the text?

A) It clarifies a potential misunderstanding.

B) It gives the logic for the following claim.

C) It provides a reason for a hypothesis.

D) It offers justification for an action.

Answer

C) It provides a reason for a hypothesis.

Tip

Choice C is the best answer because the underlined portion states that between 1911 and 1915, ranchers "slashed" or "severely cut" the forest. Since that is the time period that the H. wilderianus plant most likely went extinct, the underlined portion gives a reason for the "hypothesis" or "guess" about when the plant died: it was destroyed along with the forest.