Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questi...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Huge Drop in African Elephants

        African elephants are Earth’s largest land animals. They are very intelligent and highly social creatures. A recent study, however, reveals that populations of African elephants have sharply decreased over the past fifty years.

        The researchers described their work as the most comprehensive study of the two African elephant species – the savanna elephant and forest elephant. Using data gathered at 475 areas in 37 countries from 1964 through 2016, the study found that savanna elephant populations fell by about 70 percent on average and forest elephant populations dropped by about 90 percent on average. The researchers mainly attributed the decline to illegal hunting and the loss of the animals’ natural habitat.

        The illegal hunting and killing of elephants for their tusks continues unabated, as poachers profit heavily from the black-market ivory trade, particularly in China and other parts of Asia, where demand for this commodity remains strong. Poaching has taken a toll on forest elephants – whose population is estimated to be about one-third that of savanna elephants – with the damage being especially acute in northern and eastern Africa, including Mali, Chad, and Nigeria.

        The study also identified agricultural expansion as a major cause of habitat loss, with more and more natural land being cleared for farming and human settlement. This growing pressure further threatens elephant populations that are already weakened by poaching. George Wittemyer, a Colorado State University professor and researcher with Save the Elephants who helped lead the study, warned that many lost populations are unlikely to return, while others that survive in low numbers continue to face serious risks. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that further population losses are likely in the future.

(Adapted from learningenglish.voanews.com)

Question 23: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a cause of the decline in African elephant populations?

        A. habitat loss                B. climate change                C. agricultural expansion        D. illegal hunting

Question 24: The word “attributed” in paragraph 2 most nearly means ____________.

        A. caused                B. linked                        C. proved                        D. showed

Question 25: The phrase “this commodity” in paragraph 3 refers to ____________.

        A. ivory                B. poaching                        C. trade                        D. black market

Question 26: The word “acute” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

        A. brief                B. mild                        C. noticeable                        D. significant

Question 27: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Ongoing destruction of elephant habitat puts additional strain on populations already severely affected by poaching.

B. Poaching has reduced elephant numbers, and continued habitat loss is forcing the survivors into human settlements.

C. The loss of habitat is encouraging more poaching, which is placing increasing pressure on elephant populations.

D. The expansion of agriculture and human settlement, along with poaching, continues to threaten elephant populations.

Question 28: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Savanna elephant populations declined by about 90 percent on average.

B. The ivory trade is legal in most Asian markets.

C. Forest elephants now outnumber savanna elephants in many parts of Africa.

D. The expansion of agriculture is a major cause of elephant habitat loss.

Question 29: In which paragraph does the writer mention statistical evidence from research?

        A. Paragraph 2        B. Paragraph 3                        C. Paragraph 4                        D. Paragraph 1

Question 30: In which paragraph does the writer discuss possible future consequences for elephants?

        A. Paragraph 3        B. Paragraph 2                        C. Paragraph 1                        D. Paragraph 4