herokcal2803 3/3/2025 1:36:37 PM

Mountain Lions Amid Wildfires: A Struggle for Survival

Beth Pratt, the California director for the National Wildlife Federation, has spent her career protecting Los Angeles’ mountain lions. These top predators live in a rocky area surrounded by fancy houses and many roads. When wildfires destroy vast stretches of open land, the survival options for these animals become critically limited. “This is the LA area—these mountain lions can’t just move into the Kardashians’ backyard,” Pratt says, her voice filled with concern for the animals in such a difficult situation.

(I) The chaparral vegetation, covering about 10% of California, is one of the world’s most flammable ecosystems. (II) In Los Angeles, suburban sprawl intrudes on these areas, blocking wildlife escape routes. (III)Fires strip the land of food and shelter, transforming vibrant ecosystems into barren landscapes. (IV) Pratt highlights the urgency of the situation, explaining how areas that once supported life are now “taken out of commission,” leaving many species to starve or struggle for survival.

The consequences extend beyond wildlife. Wildfires have caused devastating human losses, with 88,000 people evacuated and a rising death toll of 25. Meanwhile, the non-human world suffers equally, particularly endangered species with limited ranges. Red-legged frogs, reintroduced into Santa Monica streams in 2014, are among the most affected, with their habitats repeatedly destroyed. The Woolsey Fire of 2018 was followed by mudslides that wiped out much of the region's delicate ecosystem, and scientists fear similar outcomes this time. California newts, reptiles, and snakes are also at high risk, while mammals and birds, although more likely to escape, face challenges in finding food and shelter as the ecosystem bounces back.

Despite the devastation, hope remains. The chaparral is a fire-adapted ecosystem, and life often endures beneath the soil. Seeds can survive and germinate quickly, with grasses sprouting weeks after the first rain. Shrubs may take up to a decade to recover, depending on rainfall. Prof. Stefan Doerr, an expert on wildfires, emphasizes the resilience of this landscape, noting its evolutionary adaptation to high-intensity fires occurring every 30 to 100 years. While the aftermath looks bleak, these fires play a role in maintaining biodiversity, offering a glimmer of hope for recovery.

(Adapted from the Guardian.com)

Question 31: Which of the following is OPPOSITE in meaning to “critically” in Paragraph 1?

A. slightly                B. urgently                        C. severely                        D. carefully

Question 32: Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit in paragraph 2?

“Composed of grasslands, shrubs, and woody species that regenerate after intense wildfires, this habitat faces escalating threats.”

A.(I)                        B. (II)                                C. (III)                        D. (IV)

Question 34: Which of the following is NOT a factor threatening chaparral vegetation?

A. suburban sprawl        B. high-intensity fires                C. loss of food and shelter        D. excessive rainfall

Question 34: The phrase “taken out of commission” in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by:

A. set up                B. broken down                C. put forward                        D. taken after

Question 35: The word “their” in Paragraph 3 refers to:

A. mountain lions        B. red-legged frogs                C. endangered species                D. mammals and birds

Question 36: Which of the following best summarizes Paragraph 2?

A. Wildfires destroy chaparral vegetation, causing wildlife to flee to urban areas.

B. The chaparral ecosystem faces increasing threats from wildfires and human expansion.

C. Mountain lions struggle to survive due to suburban sprawl and lack of food.

D. Grasslands and shrubs are easily regenerated after intense wildfires.

Question 37: According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Mountain lions frequently inhabit suburban backyards.

B. The Woolsey Fire of 2018 caused mudslides that devastated the ecosystem.

C. California’s chaparral ecosystem cannot recover after wildfires.

D. Wildfires have little impact on endangered species.

Question 38: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4: “Seeds can survive and germinate quickly, with grasses sprouting weeks after the first rain.”?

A. Seeds thrive under dry conditions and only sprout after wildfires.

B. Seeds endure fires and grow soon after the rains begin.

C. Grasses grow rapidly before the first rainfall, due to seed survival.

D. Wildfires prevent seeds from sprouting despite heavy rainfall.

Question 39: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Human intervention is necessary for the chaparral ecosystem to recover after wildfires.
B. The chaparral’s ability to regenerate after fires depends on its evolutionary adaptations.
C. Suburban sprawl has a minimal impact on the long-term recovery of the chaparral.
D. Without wildfires, the chaparral ecosystem would lose its biodiversity entirely.

Question 40: Which of the following best summarizes the main point of the passage?

A. Wildfires are a natural part of the chaparral ecosystem, but suburban sprawl exacerbates their impact on wildlife and humans.

B. The chaparral vegetation in California is an invaluable resource that requires immediate human intervention to prevent destruction.

C. Mountain lions and other species are at greater risk from wildfires due to increasing suburbanization and declining biodiversity.

D. Despite the devastating effects of wildfires, the chaparral ecosystem’s resilience ensures a quick recovery.

Đề thi thử TN THPT 2025 - Cấu trúc mới - Môn TIiếng Anh - Đề 35 - File word có lời giải

 

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