Question

[Lê Quỳnh Anh]

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

ENDANGERED SPECIES

There are three valid arguments to support the preservation of endangered species. An aesthetic justification contends that biodiversity contributes to the quality of life because many of the endangered plants and animals are particularly appreciated for their unique physical beauty. The aesthetic role of nature in all its diverse forms is reflected in the art and literature of every culture, attaining symbolic status in the spiritual life of many groups. According to the proponents of the aesthetic argument, people need nature in all its diverse and beautiful forms as part of the experience of the world.

Another argument that has been put forward, especially by groups in the medical and pharmacological fields, is that of ecological self-interest. By preserving all species, we retain a balance of nature that is ultimately beneficial to humankind. Recent research on global ecosystems has been cited as evidence that every species contributes important or even essential functions that may be necessary to the survival of our own species. Some advocates of the ecological argument contend that important chemical compounds derived from rare plants may contain the key to a cure for one of the diseases currently threatening human beings. If we do not protect other species, then they cannot protect us.

Apart from human advantage in both the aesthetic and ecological arguments, the proponents of a moral justification contend that all species have the right to exist, a viewpoint stated in the United Nations  World Charter for nature, created in 1982. Furthermore, if humankind views itself as the stewards of all the creatures on Earth, then it is incumbent upon human beings to protect them, and to ensure the continued existence of all species. Moral justification has been extended by a movement called “deep ecology,” the members of which rank the biosphere higher than people because the continuation of life depends on this larger perspective. To carry their argument to its logical conclusion, all choices must be made for the biosphere, not for people.

Which of the following is the main topic of the passage?

A. The beauty of the world

B. The quality of life

C. The preservation of species

D. The balance of nature

Answer 1

[Dương Hoàn Anh]

Chọn C.

Đáp án C.

Dịch câu hỏi: Điều nào sau đây là chủ đề chính của đoạn văn?

A.  Vẻ đẹp của thế giới          

B. Chất lượng cuộc sống

C. Bảo tồn các loài                 

D. Sự cân bằng của thiên nhiên

Để xác định “main topic” của một đoạn văn, ta phải xác định được mỗi đoan văn nhỏ trong bài nói về cái gì => từ đó suy ra mạch suy luận/logic của toàn bài và ý tác giả muốn hướng tới người đọc.

Ở đây, đoạn 1 tác giả nói có “three arguments“ liên quan tới “preservation of endangered species”. Đoạn 2 là một “another argument", và đoan 3 là ý kiến về một argument khác. Như vậy toàn bài là phân tích 3 argument về preservation of endangered species. => đáp án C là chính xác.