Read the given passage and answer the six questions that follow.
Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds and bats, are essential for the ecosystem, health and human food security. They facilitate plant reproduction by transferring pollen between flowers, enabling the production of seeds and fruits crucial for plant biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
This mutualistic relationship supports global food production, with approximately 75% of leading food crops relying on animal pollination. Pollinators contribute to the diversity and abundance of flowering plants in natural ecosystems, providing habitat and food resources for various organisms.
Despite their importance, pollinators face significant threats. Habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture and deforestation reduces nesting sites and floral resources. Pesticide exposure, especially insecticides and climate change further endanger pollinator populations by poisoning them and disrupting their behaviour and reproductive patterns.
To safeguard pollinators and ecosystems, concerted action is necessary. This includes protecting and restoring pollinator habitats, adopting pollinator-friendly agricultural practices, reducing pesticide use and raising public awareness about the crucial role of pollinators.
By addressing these challenges, we can ensure the sustainability of ecosystems, biodiversity and food production systems, securing a healthier future for both nature and humanity.
Choose a word from the options given below to replace the underlined word.
Deforestation reduces nesting sites.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → sheltering
- Nesting means making or using a nest to live in and raise young. "Nesting sites" are the places where pollinators make their homes, and habitat loss reduces such places.
Example: The tall trees by the lake are nesting places for herons. - Sheltering means giving protection and a place to stay. A nest is a shelter, so "sheltering sites" keeps the meaning: places where pollinators live and are protected.
Example: The old barn was sheltering a family of owls.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: building — Incorrect. Building means constructing. Birds do build nests, but "building sites" means places where construction work goes on, which changes the sense.
Example: Workers wear helmets on building sites.
Option 3: reproducing — Incorrect. Reproducing means producing young or making a copy. Nests are used for raising young, but "reproducing sites" is not a natural phrase and leaves out the idea of a home.
Example: Some plants keep reproducing through their roots.
Option 4: protecting — Incorrect. Protecting means keeping something safe from harm. "Protecting sites" would suggest the act of guarding sites, not places where pollinators live.
Example: The forest guards are protecting the tigers from poachers.