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The groundbreaking work of primatologists Louis Leakey and Jane Goodall has shown that the chimpanzee is not just another monkey. On the contrary, their astonishing research reveals that these primates exhibit numerous highly developed physical as well as mental characteristics that were previously thought only to be innate in humans. Goodall herself was one of the first people to recognize or realize the chimpanzee’s ability to use tools, which, at the time, caused near pandemonium in the scientific world because experts believed only humans were able to do this. It is also now known due to recent hi-tech research that the chimpanzee’s DNA makeup mirrors the genetic mapping of Homo sapiens to within a few chromosomes or so of being exactly identical. Regardless of their similarities, the chimpanzee’s entire existence is being seriously threatened by its more complex peer: man.
Critical and fundamental to any living organisms on the planet is their habitats, and chimpanzees are no exception. When it comes to the chimpanzee, trees are key, and without them, they are, for the most part, headed for sure extinction. Chimpanzees are indigenous to Africa, where the tree canopy provides them with shelter, food, and protection. For example, chimpanzees are omnivorous, which means that they rely on meat, plant life, and fruit for subsistence. They also take refuge in trees when they feel threatened by predators or violent storms and flooding. Without trees, chimpanzees will become vulnerable to nature’s forces and will lack the necessary food sources to keep them viable. What is so worrisome is that acre upon acre of the chimpanzee’s habitat is being hacked to the ground every single day.
The deforestation of the jungle in Africa for profit and space is the single biggest threat to the chimpanzee’s immediate and future livelihood. Because of skyrocketing populations and the paucity of housing in many regions of Africa, developers are cutting back the jungle to make room for new communities while simultaneously uprooting and displacing the chimpanzee. It seems that they have no regard at all for their primate neighbors, who eventually become isolated from one another in separate, tiny patchworks of trees. When groups of chimpanzees become fragmented and isolated from each other, their own genetic makeup is placed in jeopardy because they are not able to share genetic information. This isolation can have a very profound effect on future generations of chimpanzees if they even make it that far. Some experts are even predicting that, within twenty years, over eighty percent of the chimpanzee’s habitat could be lost to development and brutal clear-cutting tactics.
The domino effect continues from the threat of deforestation to that of disease. As human populations begin to tread on the chimpanzee’s habitat, man and primate come into closer contact with one another, exposing the chimpanzee to all kinds of human diseases ranging from the common cold to pneumonia to AIDS. The problem is that chimpanzees have no natural immunity against human-born diseases, so what may be just a sore throat and cough to a human could prove fatal for the chimpanzee. As populations in Africa explode and encroach on chimpanzee societies, they begin to become infected with disease, suffer, and die. If something is not done to protect the chimpanzee’s habitat and separate chimpanzees from human populations, their fate is all but sealed.
One final factor which threatens the existence of the chimpanzee is the thriving live animal trade in Africa as well as demand for them throughout the world. To many people, chimpanzees are simply cute, furry, exotic animals—the perfect addition to a home. Infant chimpanzees are taken from their mothers and sold on the black market, which further decreases their numbers in the wild. A The truth is that while chimpanzees should never be stripped from the jungle, they are, after all, wild animals and do not make obedient, domesticated pets. B The live animal trade only puts money in the pockets of senseless individuals interested in nothing more than their own gains. B Without continual pressure of governmental and environmental groups and the implementation of stricter guidelines, which regulate and thwart the destruction of the chimpanzee’s habitat, they may soon be another animal lost for eternity to human greed. D
pandemonium: a situation in which there is a lot of noise and confusion
1. The word innate in the passage is closest in meaning to
A extrinsic
B relevant
C found
D inborn
2. According to paragraph 1, chimpanzees are unique because
A the primatologist Jane Goodall was able to dedicate her life to their study
B they display many abilities reminiscent of certain traits of human beings
C their genetic makeup is a perfect match to that of Homo sapiens
D they have been able to avoid extinction, unlike many of their cousin primates
3. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 2 about habitats?
A Chimpanzees are very adaptable to different habitats depending on their needs.
B The tree canopy in the jungle is the basis of the chimpanzee’s habitat.
C They do not change but force animal species to adapt to them.
D They will disappear once the animals living in them become extinct.
4. The author discusses trees in paragraph 2 in order to
A emphasize the dire need to reform timber-clearing tactics threatening the chimpanzee
B show how violent flooding will increase with the further reduction of trees in the wild
C tell how many trees are being cut down in the chimpanzee’s habitat in Africa
D point out that because of clear-cutting tactics, chimpanzee will become more isolated isolated
5. The word them in the passage refers to
A trees
B chimpanzees
C forces
D sources
6. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
A The isolation of chimpanzees reduces diversity in their genetic pool, which can be detrimental.
B As chimpanzees become fragmented from one another, they begin to lose their genetic identity.
C Genetic information is passed on to isolated groups of chimpanzees from roaming individuals.
D Jeopardizing genetics will result in chimpanzees becoming more isolated and fragmented.
7. According to paragraph 4, disease is affecting chimpanzees because
A their immune systems are suffering from an unhealthy diet
B their natural immunities against diseases are being compromised
C their habitats are getting occupied by various groups of people
D the AIDS virus is fatal to them as much as it is for human beings
8. According to paragraph 5, the live animal trade of the chimpanzee occurs because
A the temperaments of baby chimpanzees makes them become excellent pets
B buying and selling chimpanzees is more lucrative than the trade of other animals
C there is a high demand for chimpanzees by certain ignorant and careless people
D there are large populations of baby chimpanzees taken from their mothers
9. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Furthermore, once these young chimpanzees get older and the novelty of owning them wears off, they are abandoned by their owners.
Where would the sentence best fit?
Click on a square [■] to add the sentence to the passage.
10. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some answer choices do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points .
The livelihood of the chimpanzee is being placed in jeopardy for a number of important reasons.
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A Trees are the main source of food as well as a form of protection for the chimpanzee.
B Chimpanzees are cute and furry and are considered by many to be exotic animals.
C The chimpanzee is native to many different areas on the African continent.
D Because they are favored as pets, the population of chimpanzees is being compromised.
E Chimpanzees are the only animal other than humans that are known to use tools.
F The development of industry is destroying chimpanzees’ habitats at an alarming rate.
Drag your answer choices to the spaces where they belong.
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