EST Reading |Passage 3 Explanation| June 2022 

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Welcome to our insightful exploration of the June 2022 EST Reading Guide, focusing on Passage 3. If you're aiming to excel in the EST Reading section, you've come to the right place. This guide, meticulously prepared with the expertise of Mr. Osama A. Ibrahim, the renowned English teacher in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, delves into the intricate themes of natural causes and human impacts on animal extinction.

In Passage 3, we navigate through the scientific and ethical dimensions of extinction. The passage presents a nuanced discussion on how over-specialization, climatic changes, and the evolution of new species contribute to the natural process of extinction. It contrasts this with a critical examination of mankind's role in accelerating the demise of valuable wild species, framing it as a moral and legal transgression against nature and future generations.

This blog post is designed to enhance your understanding of these complex issues, equipping you with the analytical skills to dissect the passage and answer related questions effectively. Whether you're looking to refine your EST vocabulary, improve your reading skills, or practice with authentic EST reading passages, this guide is your comprehensive resource.

Join us as we unravel the layers of Passage 3, offering clear explanations and actionable insights to help you master the EST Reading section. With Mr. Osama A. Ibrahim's guidance, you're not just preparing for an exam; you're gaining a deeper appreciation for the intricate balance of our natural world and our place within it. Let's embark on this learning journey together and set the stage for your EST success.

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Summary:

Passage 1 discusses some of the natural causes and aspects of animal extinction, such as over-specialization, climatic change, and development of new species. The author uses scientific terms and examples to explain how some animals have evolved or disappeared over time.

Passage 2 criticizes man-kind for exterminating valuable wild species and argues that it is a crime against nature and posterity. The author uses emotional language and rhetorical questions to condemn man-kind for his moral and legal responsibility for destroying the animals that have existed for a long time on Earth.

EXPLANATION FOR QUESTIONS 22-32

22. A. introduce the premise of the passage. This is correct because the premise of the passage is that extinction is a complicated and many-sided problem that cannot be fully explained by one single factor or theory. The first paragraph introduces this premise by stating the question and admitting that it is impossible to give a comprehensive and satisfactory reply.

B. refute a common misconception. This is incorrect because the first paragraph does not refute anything, but rather acknowledges the complexity of the issue. There is no evidence that the question "why do animals become extinct?" is a common misconception, or that the author disagrees with it.

C. speculate the importance of the question proposed. This is incorrect because the first paragraph does not speculate or imply anything about the importance of the question. It simply states the question and sets up the scope of the passage.

D. highlight the different aspects of extinction. This is incorrect because the first paragraph does not highlight or mention any specific aspects of extinction, but rather says that it will present a few aspects in the rest of the chapter. The first paragraph does not provide any details or examples of extinction, but only introduces the general topic.

23. To answer this question, we need to look at the context of the word "matter" in line 31. The sentence reads: "Such great and necessarily sluggish brutes as Brontosaurus and Diplodocus, with their tons of flesh, small heads, and feeble teeth, were obviously reared in easy circumstances, and unfitted to succeed in any strenuous struggle for existence."

The word "matter" here is used to refer to the difficulty or challenge that these animals would face if their environment changed. Therefore, the best synonym for "matter" in this context is "situation". The correct answer is D.

To eliminate the other choices, we can see that A. material does not make sense because it implies that the animals were made of something different than other animals. B. consequence does not make sense because it implies that the animals faced some kind of punishment or result of their actions. C. content does not make sense because it implies that the animals were satisfied or happy with their circumstances. None of these words capture the meaning of "matter" as used in line 31.

24.Question 24 asks you to identify the author's stance on Man in passage 2. A stance is an attitude or a point of view that an author expresses through their words and tone. To find the author's stance, you need to look for clues in the passage that reveal how the author feels about Man and his actions. You also need to consider the main idea or purpose of the passage, which is to criticize Man for exterminating wild species and to urge him to stop.

The best answer for question 24 is C. Man is purposefully cruel to nature. This answer reflects the author's stance because it shows how the author blames Man for his deliberate and harmful actions against nature. The author uses strong and negative words to describe Man, such as "wasteful", "greedy", "shameless", "mean", "cruel", and "murderous". The author also contrasts Man with nature's gifts and wild species, implying that Man is unnatural and destructive. For example, in lines 77-80, the author says: "With all his wisdom, man has not evolved and placed here so much as a ground-squirrel, a sparrow or a clam." This shows how the author thinks that Man is arrogant and ignorant of his place in nature.

The other choices for question 24 are not correct because they do not match the author's stance or they misinterpret the passage.

- A. Man, like animals, faces extinction is not correct because the author does not suggest that Man is in danger of extinction or that he sympathizes with him. The author does not compare Man to animals, but rather contrasts them. The author also does not mention any threats or challenges that Man faces from nature or from himself.

- B. Man is a victim of nature's perils is not correct because the author does not portray Man as a helpless or innocent sufferer of nature's forces. The author does not mention any perils or dangers that nature poses to Man, but rather focuses on how Man abuses and destroys nature. The author also does not show any pity or compassion for Man, but rather anger and contempt.

- D. Man unintentionally destroys all that surrounds it is not correct because the author does not excuse Man's actions as accidental or ignorant. The author clearly states that Man is aware of what he is doing and that he does it on purpose. For example, in lines 92-94, the author says: "But man, the shameless destroyer of Nature's gifts, blithely and persistently exterminates one species after another." This shows how the author thinks that Man is conscious and careless of his actions.

25. Question 25 asks you to find the best evidence for the answer to question 24 from the passage. Evidence is a piece of information or a detail that supports or proves a claim or an argument. To find the best evidence, you need to look for a part of the passage that directly supports or illustrates the answer to question 24, which is C. Man is purposefully cruel to nature.

The best answer for question 25 is C. Lines 92-94 ("But man ... another."). These lines are the best evidence because they show how Man deliberately and persistently exterminates one species after another, which is an example of his cruelty to nature. These lines also use strong and negative words to describe Man, such as "shameless" and "destroyer", which reflect the author's stance.

The other choices for question 25 are not correct because they do not provide good evidence for the answer to question 24 or they are irrelevant or weak.

- A. Lines 70-73 ("No ... trust.") are not correct because they do not show how Man is cruel to nature, but rather how he is irresponsible and untrustworthy. These lines state that Man has no right to destroy or squander an inheritance of his children that he holds for them in trust. This shows how the author thinks that Man is violating his duty and betraying his future generations, but it does not show how he is harming nature.

- B. Lines 77-80 ("With ... clam.") are not correct because they do not show how Man is cruel to nature, but rather how he is incapable of creating any species. These lines state that Man has not created even the humblest of the species of birds, mammals and fishes that adorn and enrich this earth. This shows how the author thinks that Man is arrogant and ignorant of his place in nature, but it does not show how he is destroying it.

- D. Lines 117-120 ("To-day ... species.") are not correct because they do not show how Man is cruel to nature, but rather how he is indifferent and insensitive to it. These lines state that the thing that stares the author in the face every waking hour is the extermination of species. This shows how the author feels about the issue, but it does not show how Man causes it or why he does it.

 26. The correct answer is B. Passage 1 provides scientific evidence for the information presented in Passage 2.

To find the relationship between the two passages, you need to compare their main ideas and purposes. Passage 1 explains some of the reasons why animals become extinct, such as over-specialization, climatic change, and development of new species. Passage 2 criticizes Man for exterminating valuable wild species and argues that it is a crime against Nature and posterity.

You can see that Passage 2 mentions the information presented in Passage 1 in lines 94-95: "But man, the shameless destroyer of Nature's gifts, blithely and persistently exterminates one species after another." This implies that Man is responsible for destroying the animals that have already been affected by natural causes. Passage 1 provides some examples of how animals have disappeared or changed over time due to natural factors, such as the dinosaurs, the Titanotheres, and the horses. Therefore, Passage 1 provides scientific evidence for the information presented in Passage 2.

To eliminate the wrong answer choices, you need to look for evidence in the passages that contradicts or does not support them.

A is wrong because Passage 1 does not attack the stance taken in Passage 2. Passage 1 does not disagree or challenge the claim that Man is exterminating valuable wild species. It only explains some of the natural causes of animal extinction.

B is correct and cannot be eliminated.

C is wrong because Passage 1 does not argue for the failure of Man supported in Passage 2. Passage 1 does not make any argument about Man or his moral responsibility. It only describes some of the aspects of animal extinction from a scientific perspective.

D is wrong because Passage 1 does not demonstrate the historical context mentioned in Passage 2. Passage 1 does not show how animals have existed for a long time on Earth or how Man has destroyed or squandered their inheritance. It only shows how animals have evolved or disappeared over time due to natural factors.

 Some tips and strategies for this type of question are:

- Read both passages carefully and identify their main ideas and purposes.

- Look for keywords or phrases that indicate the relationship between the passages, such as contrast, comparison, cause and effect, example, etc.

- Compare and contrast the passages based on their tone, perspective, evidence, and argument.

- Eliminate answer choices that are not supported by evidence from the passages or that contradict the passages.

- Choose the answer choice that best summarizes the relationship between the passages based on their main ideas and purposes.

27. To answer this question, we need to look at the context of the word "secure" in line 100. The sentence reads: "The things that seemingly decent citizens,—men posing as gentlemen,—will do to wild game when they secure great chances to slaughter, are appalling." Here, the word "secure" is used as a verb, and it modifies the noun phrase "great chances to slaughter". We need to find the meaning of "secure" that best fits this usage and makes sense in the sentence.

One strategy to approach this question is to substitute each answer choice for the word "secure" and see if the sentence still makes sense and conveys the same idea. Let's try this with each option:

A. fasten. If we replace "secure" with "fasten", the sentence becomes: "The things that seemingly decent citizens,—men posing as gentlemen,—will do to wild game when they fasten great chances to slaughter, are appalling." This does not make sense, because "fasten" means to attach or join something firmly, and it does not fit with the idea of "chances". How can someone fasten a chance? This option is incorrect.

B. ensure. If we replace "secure" with "ensure", the sentence becomes: "The things that seemingly decent citizens,—men posing as gentlemen,—will do to wild game when they ensure great chances to slaughter, are appalling." This makes more sense than the previous option, because "ensure" means to make certain or guarantee something, and it fits better with the idea of "chances". However, this option is still not the best choice, because it implies that the men have some control or influence over their chances to slaughter wild game, which may not be true. The passage does not suggest that the men are planning or arranging their chances, but rather that they are taking advantage of them when they occur. This option is not incorrect, but it is not the most accurate.

C. protect. If we replace "secure" with "protect", the sentence becomes: "The things that seemingly decent citizens,—men posing as gentlemen,—will do to wild game when they protect great chances to slaughter, are appalling." This does not make sense, because "protect" means to keep something safe from harm or danger, and it contradicts the idea of "slaughter". Why would someone protect a chance to kill something? This option is incorrect.

D. connect. If we replace "secure" with "connect", the sentence becomes: "The things that seemingly decent citizens,—men posing as gentlemen,—will do to wild game when they connect great chances to slaughter, are appalling." This does not make sense, because "connect" means to join or link something together, and it does not fit with the idea of "chances". How can someone connect a chance? This option is incorrect.

Based on this strategy, we can eliminate options A, C and D, and choose option B as the best answer. However, there is another meaning of "secure" that is more appropriate for this context, and that is not given as an answer choice. That meaning is: to obtain or achieve something, especially after a lot of effort or difficulty. For example: "He secured a place at Harvard after studying hard for months." This meaning of "secure" matches the usage in line 100 better than any of the answer choices, because it implies that the men have worked hard or faced some challenges to get their chances to slaughter wild game, and that they are not willing to waste them. However, since this meaning is not given as an option, we have to choose the closest one from the ones provided, which is B.

A shortcut to arrive at this answer is to use your knowledge of synonyms and word families. If you know that another word for "secure" is "obtain", you can quickly eliminate options A, C and D, because they are not synonyms of "obtain". Then you can choose option B as the closest one in meaning.

 28.To answer this question, we need to identify the author's stance and the evidence he provides in Passage 2. The author's stance is that it is a crime for civilized man to exterminate wild species of living things, and that man has no right to destroy or squander the natural inheritance of his children and posterity. The evidence he provides is objective, meaning that it is based on facts, data, or observable phenomena, rather than personal opinions, feelings, or beliefs.

Some examples of objective evidence in Passage 2 are:

- "With all his wisdom, man has not evolved and placed here so much as a ground-squirrel, a sparrow or a clam." (lines 77-80)

- "The wild things of this earth are not ours, to do with as we please. They have been given to us in trust, and we must account for them to the generations which will come after us and audit our accounts." (lines 89-92)

- "To-day the women of England, Europe and elsewhere are directly promoting the extermination of scores of beautiful species of wild birds by the devilish persistence with which they buy and wear feather ornaments made of their plumage." (lines 104-108)

These examples show that the author uses factual statements, logical arguments, and specific details to support his claim. Therefore, the correct answer is B. The author provides objective evidence to support his claim.

To eliminate the other choices, we can see that A. is false because the author does not provide subjective evidence, which would be based on his own feelings or opinions, nor does he fail to support his claim. C. is false because the author provides plenty of evidence to support his claim, as shown above. D. is false because the author provides substantial evidence for his position, rather than no evidence at all.

29. Question 29 asks you to identify what the author of passage 1 states as a reason for extinction. Extinction is the disappearance or elimination of a species or a group of animals. To find the author's reason for extinction, you need to look for clues in the passage that explain why or how animals become extinct. You also need to consider the main idea or purpose of the passage, which is to present a few aspects of this complicated and many-sided problem.

The best answer for question 29 is C. When animals adapt to their surroundings, they replace other animals leading to their extinction. This answer reflects the author's reason for extinction because it shows how some animals evolve and change to fit their environment, while others are replaced and lost. The author uses the example of the horse, which is the living representative of an unbroken line reaching back to the little Eocene Hyracothere, to illustrate this point. The author also says that much of what we might term extinction is really the replacement of one set of animals by another better adapted to surrounding conditions.

The other choices for question 29 are not correct because they do not match the author's reason for extinction or they misinterpret the passage.

- A. Extinction is the inevitable development of new species is not correct because the author does not suggest that extinction is unavoidable or necessary for new species to emerge. The author acknowledges that some species may pass into another, but also says that this is not always the case and that there are other factors involved.

- B. Animals naturally replace other animals with time due to the food chain is not correct because the author does not mention the food chain or imply that it is a natural or causal factor for extinction. The author talks about replacement, but not in terms of predation or competition for food, but rather in terms of adaptation and evolution.

- D. Extinction does not exist and is only a myth is not correct because the author does not deny or dismiss the reality or possibility of extinction. The author says that in many cases it may be said that actual extermination has not taken place, but also says that this chapter does not pretend to give a comprehensive and satisfactory reply, implying that there are other cases and aspects to consider.

30. The best answer for question 30 is C. Lines 19-24 ("So ... conditions."). These lines are the best evidence because they state the author's reason for extinction clearly and explicitly. They say that much of what we might term extinction is really the replacement of one set of animals by another better adapted to surrounding conditions.

The other choices for question 30 are not correct because they do not provide good evidence for the answer to question 29 or they are irrelevant or weak.

- A. Lines 1-4 ("It ... reply;") are not correct because they do not state any reason for extinction, but rather introduce the topic and acknowledge its complexity and difficulty.

- B. Lines 8-11 ("In ... another;") are not correct because they do not state any reason for extinction, but rather describe one possible scenario where one species passes into another.

- D. Lines 33-39 ("Such ... existence.") are not correct because they do not state any reason for extinction, but rather give an example of a type of animal that was unfitted to succeed in any strenuous struggle for existence.

31. The correct answer is A. man-kind.

To find the difference between the two authors' discussions of the extinction of nature, you need to compare their perspectives and purposes. Passage 1 discusses extinction of nature as related to nature, meaning that the author focuses on the natural factors and processes that affect animal survival, such as over-specialization, climatic change, and development of new species. The author does not mention man-kind or his role in animal extinction at all. Passage 2 discusses the extinction of nature as related to man-kind, meaning that the author focuses on the human factors and actions that affect animal survival, such as extermination, squandering, and abuse. The author criticizes man-kind for his moral and legal responsibility for destroying valuable wild species.

You can see the difference between the two authors' discussions in their tone, evidence, and argument. Passage 1 has a neutral and descriptive tone, using scientific terms and examples to explain some of the reasons why animals become extinct. Passage 2 has a passionate and persuasive tone, using emotional language and rhetorical questions to condemn man-kind for exterminating valuable wild species.

To eliminate the wrong answer choices, you need to look for evidence in the passages that contradicts or does not support them.

A is correct and cannot be eliminated.

B is wrong because both authors discuss the extinction of nature as related to certain species. They both provide examples of specific animals that have become extinct or are threatened by extinction, such as the dinosaurs, the Titanotheres, and the birds.

C is wrong because neither author discusses the extinction of nature as related to the royal class. They both address a general audience and do not mention any social or political distinctions.

D is wrong because only one aspect of Passage 2 discusses the extinction of nature as related to fashion. The author mentions the women who wear feather ornaments made of bird plumage as an example of man-kind's abuse of nature, but this is not the main focus of his discussion.

Some tips and strategies for this type of question are:

- Read both passages carefully and identify their perspectives and purposes.

- Look for keywords or phrases that indicate the difference between the two authors' discussions, such as contrast, comparison, cause and effect, example, etc.

- Compare and contrast the passages based on their tone, perspective, evidence, and argument.

- Eliminate answer choices that are not supported by evidence from the passages or that contradict the passages.

- Choose the answer choice that best summarizes the difference between the two authors' discussions based on their perspectives and purposes.

32.The correct answer is D. The reader is familiar with the term and is a professional in the field.

To find the author's assumption when mentioning "Ecocene Hyracothere" in line 19, you need to analyze the context and the purpose of the term. The term "Ecocene Hyracothere" is a scientific name for an extinct animal that is considered to be the ancestor of the modern horse. The author uses this term to illustrate the point that some animals have evolved or changed over time rather than becoming extinct.

You can see that the author assumes that the reader is familiar with the term and is a professional in the field by the way he introduces and explains the term. The author does not provide any definition or description of what an Ecocene Hyracothere is or what it looks like. He only mentions it as an example of an unbroken line reaching back to the horse. He also uses other scientific terms and examples, such as Eocene, specialization, and Titanotheres, without explaining them. This implies that the author expects the reader to have prior knowledge and understanding of these terms and concepts.

To eliminate the wrong answer choices, you need to look for evidence in the passage that contradicts or does not support them.

A is wrong because the author does not assume that the reader is a high school student. The author does not use any simple or familiar language or examples to explain the term or its relevance. He also does not provide any context or background information that would help a high school student understand the term.

B is wrong because the author does not assume that the reader is an avid reader of animal literature. The author does not use any literary or narrative techniques or examples to engage or interest the reader. He also does not provide any references or sources that would suggest that he is writing for an animal literature audience.

C is wrong because the author does not assume that the reader is unfamiliar with the term and so he proceeds to explain it. The author does not provide any explanation or clarification of what an Ecocene Hyracothere is or why it is important. He only mentions it briefly as an example of his argument.

D is correct and cannot be eliminated.

Some tips and strategies for this type of question are:

- Read the passage carefully and identify the context and the purpose of the term.

- Look for clues or indicators that suggest how much the author expects the reader to know or understand about the term, such as definitions, descriptions, explanations, examples, etc.

- Compare and contrast the answer choices based on their level of familiarity and expertise with the term.

- Eliminate answer choices that are not supported by evidence from the passage or that contradict the passage.

- Choose the answer choice that best summarizes the author's assumption when mentioning the term based on the context and the purpose of the term.

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