Read the given passage and answer the following questions:-
Biodiversity, also referred to as biological diversity, is the variety of different species of flora and fauna living on Earth. The richer the biodiversity, the more balanced and harmonious would the environment be. Different variety of plants and animals contribute their bit to make the planet worth inhabiting. One of the main reasons for the survival of human species on Earth is biodiversity. This is because various species of organisms help in meeting their basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and other resources. There are around 300,000 species of flora that have been known to date and numerous species of fauna that includes not only animals but also birds, fish, reptiles, mammals, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, etc.
Our planet Earth was formed close to 4.54 billion years ago and there have been evidences of life since around 3.5 billion years ago. A number of species of both flora and fauna have gone extinct over the past centuries and many more are anticipated to go extinct in the times to come, there by disturbing the level of biodiversity. Human beings have become so driven towards technology over the years that they have forgotten its repercussions. Several new inventions have proven to be hazardous to the environment and are having a negative impact on biodiversity. It is high time humans should start taking the environmental issues seriously and contribute their bit towards improving the atmosphere. A healthy environment is essential for developing rich biodiversity which in turn is essential for the human beings to live in a harmonious state on Earth.
Find a word from the passage which means the same as the word ---- consequence
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → repercussion
- A consequence is a result or effect of an action, often an unwelcome one. The question asks for a word in the passage with this meaning.
Example: Missing the bus had the consequence that he reached school late. - A repercussion is an effect or result of an action, usually an unpleasant one that comes later, so it means the same as consequence. The passage says that humans have become so driven towards technology that "they have forgotten its repercussions", that is, its harmful results.
Example: The factory closure had serious repercussions for the whole town.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: extinct — Incorrect. Extinct means no longer existing, used of a species that has died out. The passage uses it for flora and fauna that have gone extinct; it does not mean a result.
Example: The dodo became extinct in the seventeenth century.
Option 3: anticipated — Incorrect. Anticipated means expected or predicted. The passage says more species are anticipated to go extinct; the word is about expecting something, not about its effect.
Example: The anticipated rain never came.
Option 4: hazardous — Incorrect. Hazardous means dangerous or risky. The passage calls some inventions hazardous to the environment; it describes danger, not a result.
Example: Workers must wear masks when handling hazardous chemicals.