English Language Questions for CLAT | QB Set 11

Species interdependence in nature brings benefits to those involved, but it also creates vulnerabilities when one species is affected by external factors. For example, flowering plants that rely on insect pollination are at risk if the population of their insect pollinators is reduced by pesticides, unlike species that rely on self-pollination or wind pollination.

In New Brunswick, Canada, efforts to control the spruce budworm, a significant pest, have involved spraying pesticides like Matacil over the past 25 years. Scientists have studied the effects of Matacil, one of the least toxic pesticides to insect pollinators, by observing its impact on wild insect mortality and the fecundity of plants, which is measured by the percentage of flowers that produce seeds. Their research showed that the smaller bees and a family of flies, which are critical pollinators for many forest plant species, experienced significant mortality following Matacil spraying. As a result, the red-osier dogwood, a plant highly dependent on these insects for pollination, showed a marked decrease in fecundity in sprayed areas compared to non-sprayed control areas. In contrast, the creeping dogwood, which is pollinated by larger bees such as bumblebees that are unaffected by Matacil, showed no significant decline in fecundity. This evidence supports the idea that spraying pesticides that harm pollinators can reduce plant reproduction.

However, it remains unclear whether a reduction in plant fecundity due to pesticide spraying leads to a decline in the overall population of flowering plant species. Species that rely solely on seed production for survival are more vulnerable to decreases in fecundity. In contrast, species capable of vegetative reproduction, like growing new plants from shoots or runners, may be less affected. The greatest risk is likely faced by species with short life spans, limited geographic ranges, an inability to reproduce vegetatively, and a reliance on a small number of insect pollinators. Therefore, these species may require special conservation efforts to mitigate the environmental disruption caused by pesticide use.

1. What risk do flowering plants that rely on insect pollination face, according to the passage?
   a) They face no risks due to environmental factors
   b) They are at risk if their insect pollinators are harmed by external factors
   c) They are more likely to be affected by wind pollination issues
   d) They can easily switch to self-pollination when insect populations decrease
2. How did the use of Matacil affect the red-osier dogwood in New Brunswick?
   a) It showed no effect on the fecundity of the plant
   b) It increased the fecundity of the plant due to increased insect pollination
   c) It caused a significant reduction in the plant’s fecundity by harming its pollinators
   d) It improved the plant’s reproductive rate by eliminating pests
3. Which plant was not significantly affected by Matacil spraying, and why?
   a) Red-osier dogwood, because it does not rely on insect pollination
   b) Red-osier dogwood, because it relies on wind pollination
   c) All plants, because Matacil is harmless to both small and large pollinators
   d) Creeping dogwood, because it is pollinated by larger bees unaffected by Matacil  
4. Why might a reduction in plant fecundity not necessarily lead to a decline in the overall population of flowering plants?
   a) Plants that reproduce vegetatively are less vulnerable to decreases in fecundity
   b) Many plants can switch from seed production to self-pollination
   c) A reduction in fecundity always increases plant populations
   d) Pesticides help improve vegetative reproduction in plants

5. Which species are likely to face the greatest risk from environmental disruption caused by pesticide use?
a) Species with long life spans, wide geographic ranges, and the ability to reproduce vegetatively
b) Species with short life spans, limited geographic ranges, and a reliance on a small number of insect pollinators
c) Species that rely on wind pollination and have large geographic ranges
d) Species that can reproduce through both vegetative and seed production methods