FREE PSAT 8/9 Reading Practice Test 2025 [Timed]

Last Updated on February 12, 2025

FREE PSAT 8/9 Reading Practice Test 2025 [Timed]. This test has 25 Reading questions with three passages within the time limit.  The official (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) Reading Test is a 55-minute test requiring you to answer 42 questions spread out over five passages.

The questions will ask you to do everything from determining the meaning of words in context to deciding an author’s purpose for providing details, finding the main idea of an entire passage, and pinpointing information on a graph. Each passage ranges from 500 to 700 words and has 8 or 9 questions. Time will be tight on this test.

PSAT 8/9 Reading Practice Test 2025

Your Mission is to Process five passages and answer 8 or 9 questions for each passage (or pair of passages). Get as many points as you can.

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FREE PSAT 8/9 Reading Practice Test 1

FREE PSAT 8/9 Reading Practice Test 1
Total Questions: 25 (3 Passages)
Time: 40 Minutes

Each passage or pair of passages below is followed by a number of questions. After reading each passage or pair, choose the best answer to each question based on what is stated or implied in the passage or passages and in any accompanying graphics (such as a table or graph).

1 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • Which choice best describes a main theme of the passage?

2 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • The author includes the second paragraph (lines 12–16) most likely to

3 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • Which choice best supports the narrator’s description of Hassan as “the greatest kite runner I’d ever seen” (lines 13–14)?

4 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • As used in line 16, “inner compass” most strongly suggests that Hassan

5 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • As used in line 22, “ragged” most nearly means

6 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • After Hassan and the narrator reach the middle school, Hassan’s actions suggest that he

7 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

8 / 25

The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter
tradition in Afghanistan. It started early in the
morning on the day of the contest and didn't end until
Line only the winning kite flew in the sky — I remember

5 one year the tournament outlasted daylight. People
gathered on sidewalks and roofs to cheer for their kids.
The streets filled with kite fighters, jerking and tugging
on their lines, squinting up to the sky, trying to gain
position to cut the opponent's line. Every kite fighter

10 had an assistant — in my case, Hassan — who held the
spool and fed the line...
Over the years, I had seen a lot of guys run kites.
But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever
seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to

15 the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he
had some sort of inner compass.
I remember one overcast winter day, Hassan and
I were running a kite. I was chasing him through
neighborhoods, hopping gutters, weaving through

20 narrow streets. I was a year older than him, but Hassan
ran faster than I did, and I was falling behind. "Hassan!
Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged.
He whirled around, motioned with his hand. C' This
way!" he called before dashing around another corner.

25  I looked up, saw that the direction we were running
was opposite to the one the kite was drifting.
"We're losing it! We're going the wrong way!" I
cried out.
"Trust me!" I heard him call up ahead. I reached

30the corner and saw Hassan bolting along, his head
down, not even looking at the sky, sweat soaking
through the back of his shirt.

  I tripped over a rock and
fell — I wasn't just slower than Hassan but clumsier
too; I'd always envied his natural athleticism. When

35 I staggered to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Hassan
disappearing around another street corner. I hobbled
after him, spikes of pain battering my scraped knees.
I saw we had ended up on a rutted dirt road near
Isteqlal Middle School. There was a field on one side

40 where lettuce grew in the summer, and a row of sour
cherry trees on the other. I found Hassan sitting cross-
legged at the foot of one of the trees, eating from a
fistful of dried mulberries.
"What are we doing here?" I panted, my stomach

45 roiling with nausea.
He smiled. "Sit with me, Amir agha."
I dropped next to him, lay on a thin patch of snow,
wheezing. "You're wasting our time. It was going the
other way, didn't you see?"

50 Hassan popped a mulberry in his mouth. "It's
coming," he said. I could hardly breathe and he didn't
even sound tired. "How do you know?" I said.
"I know."...
"Here it comes," Hassan said, pointing to the sky.

55 He rose to his feet and walked a few paces to his left. I
looked up, saw the kite plummeting toward us. I heard
footfalls, shouts, an approaching melee of kite runners.
But they were wasting their time. Because Hassan
stood with his arms wide open, smiling, waiting for the

60 kite. And may God — if He exists, that is — strike me
blind if the kite didn't just drop into his outstretched
arms.

  • According to the passage, while the kite is falling, there is a sound of

9 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm

40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • The main idea of the passage is that

10 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm

40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • As used in line 33, “create” most nearly means

11 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm

40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • As used in line 36, “emerging” most nearly means

12 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm

40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • The author uses the example in lines 39–42 (“Great Smoky…game”) mainly to support the assertion that Pokémon Go

13 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm

40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

14 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm

40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • In the passage, Lynda Doucette indicates that

15 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm

40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

16 / 25

They walk among us. Shuffling along sidewalks,
mesmerized by the smartphones cradled in their
hands. Some have earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to
Line the physical world around them. They are Pokémon

5 Go players, and they are on one mission: They've
gotta catch 'em all. From teenage girls to police
officers, it seems like everyone is hopping on the
augmented reality bandwagon to hunt down their first
Charmanders, Squirtles, and Bulbasaurs. Recently

10 ranked as the most popular game in U.S. history,
the phenomenon has made its way through civilization
and is now venturing into uncharted territory: national
parks.
With lush trees and mountain ranges, national

15 parks are not the easiest places to find cell reception
or Wi-Fi. Because of this, Barb Maynes, public
information officer at Olympic National Park, says
she hasn't heard reports of people playing Pokémon
Go. Acadia National Park also hasn't reported any

20 activity. But some visitors centers, which have Wi-Fi,
double as pokégyms, or places where players can battle
each other and level up. On Tuesday, Tim Rains, a
public affairs specialist at Glacier National Park, caught
his first Pokémon—a Bulbasaur—near Glacier's Apgar

25 Visitor Center. Lynda Doucette, a lead interpretive
ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, says
the park's landscape obstructs cell service. But she
and her colleagues have found at least five Pokéstops,
landmarks where players can collect useful items, and

30 a Pokégym. They've identified at least 12 Pokémon,
including Zubats and Squirtles.
"One of our goals as part of the National Park
Service Centennial is to connect with and create
the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and

35 advocates," Rains writes in an email. "Games that use
geolocation are a new and emerging opportunity to
bring new audiences to the park."

 Pokémon Go also has an educational component
to it. Great Smoky Mountains's Mountain Farm40 Museum has three Pokéstops. When found, historical
text will pop up on screen, and players can tap an
icon to learn more before returning to the game.
There's also a Twitter account called Pokémon
Archaeology devoted to recording Pokémon in

45 historical settings. "It gets people out there," Doucette
says. "I think it's an opportunity to bring a new
audience to a site."
But as play increases, injuries abound. Already,

50 players have been hurt after falling or walking into
obstacles while cruising for critters. So far, though,
national parks aren't implementing any policies
against the game. Instead, Emily Davis, a public affairs
officer at Grand Canyon National Park, says rangers
will continue to remind visitors to be aware of their

55 surroundings on their quests to track down new
Pokémon. "I don't anticipate that we're going to have
any new rules implemented," Doucette says. "It's the
same safety concerns we've had before this game."
Overall, Pokémon Go may become a new way to

60 explore historic parks, which tend to be dead spots
for technology. In Washington, D.C., rangers will
even soon be getting in on the game by leading a
"Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt," according to the
National Mall and Memorial Parks Facebook page.
"On top of reminding visitors to be safe during their

65 visit, we are also asking them to be respectful of the
solemn monuments and to avoid wandering into off-
limits areas," Tom Crosson, chief of public affairs for
the National Park Service, writes in an email.

70 Who knows? Maybe Pikachu could end up
on Mount Rushmore one day.

  • According to the graph, in 2018, there were more visits to Olympic National Park than to

17 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • Which statement best describes the overall structure of the passage?

18 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • Based on the passage, the authors’ perspective on studying coral reefs is that it is

19 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • As used in line 5, “shocks” most nearly means

20 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • According to the passage, conservation efforts should take local conditions into account because populations of herbivorous fish

21 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

22 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • What does the authors’ use of the word “drivers” (line 35) suggest about the fish population?

23 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • Which choice best supports the conclusion that different types of herbivorous fish perform different roles in the reef environment?

24 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • Based on the graphs, which of the following groups includes the greatest biomass of herbivorous fish?

25 / 25

Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural
assets on Earth. They provide an estimated US$375
billion worth of goods and services every year, such as
Line supporting fisheries and protecting coasts. But reefs

5 face many stresses and shocks, from local threats like
overfishing, habitat damage and pollution to the global
impacts of climate change. Many scientists are working
to identify management strategies that can effectively
buffer reefs against the array of threats that challenge

10 them.
Herbivorous fish (species that eat plants) are
critical for healthy coral reefs because they help to
regulate the constant competition for space between
corals and seaweeds. Hard corals and other reef-

15 building organisms form hard skeletons out of calcium
carbonate, while fleshy organisms such as seaweeds
and algal turfs (thick mats of short algae) grow on
the surfaces of these hard structures. By feeding on
seaweeds and algal turfs, herbivorous fish prevent these

20 organisms from smothering reefs.
Recent studies have stressed the importance for
coral reef conservation of protecting herbivorous fish,
which are heavily fished in many parts of the world.
But in a new study, we found that populations of

25 herbivorous fish vary widely from site to site, and are
strongly influenced by factors including temperature
and island type. This means that strategies to protect
these important species may not work unless they take
local conditions into account, and no single strategy is

30 likely to work everywhere.
Fishing has caused widespread reductions in
herbivorous fish populations on coral reefs around the
world. Because fishing has had such pervasive global
effects, it is hard to separate human impacts from the

35 natural biophysical and environmental drivers of these
fish populations.
But we need to make this distinction if we want to
understand why herbivores might be naturally more
prevalent in some places than others, and to measure

40 true human-related depletion effects accurately. More
specifically, in this study we wanted to know whether
it was reasonable to expect the same amount of these
fishes in areas where environmental conditions are
very different.		 45 All herbivorous fish are not equal. Depending
on what they eat, they perform different roles that
contribute to the functioning of coral reefs, much in
the same way that lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
perform different tasks in your garden. To understand

50 how these fishes differ in their response to the
environment, we classified fishes in our study based
on their functional roles, defined by what they eat and
how they eat it.
For example, browsers eat fleshy seaweeds;

55 detritivores comb algal turfs, feeding on a variety
of fine plant and animal matter; and scrapers and
excavators scrape hard surfaces on the reef, clearing
space for corals to colonize. Large excavators, such
as big parrotfish, are considered to be particularly

60 important.
Since the groups of herbivores we studied play
different functional roles on reefs, healthy reefs are
likely to need diverse populations of grazing fishes.
Browsers and large parrotfish are most sensitive to

65 human impacts, so our results suggest that we may
need new strategies to protect these species.
Our findings also show that a coral reef's
environmental setting strongly influences the number
and diversity of herbivorous caretaker species that it

70 can support. For instance, browsers that feed directly
on macroalgae are naturally increased in cooler
locations, while detritivores that selectively remove
detritus from algal turfs (thus keeping the turfs clean)
have increased population sizes in warmer areas.

75 Agencies that manage coral reefs are increasingly
turning to local-scale interventions to help make
these sensitive ecosystems more sustainable. Some
may adopt policies that focus on herbivores, such
as the marine reserve on the Hawaiian island of

80 Maui where herbivores, but not other species, are
protected from fishing. Our results show that it is
important to treat herbivores as a diverse group with
different roles and vulnerabilities, and to think about
the environmental context as we design strategies to
85 protect them.

  • Which idea from the passage is supported by the information in the graphs?

Your score is

See also: