20. What is referred to as 'rich and diverse land' at the beginning of paragraph 3?
Answer: B
The large variety of Amazonian plants and animals
The term 'rich and diverse land' refers to the large variety of Amazonian plants and animals that thrive in the rainforest ecosystem, highlighting its biodiversity and ecological significance.
A) 400 types of insects in the Amazon rainforest
While the presence of 400 types of insects contributes to the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, it does not encompass the full extent of the richness and diversity referred to in the text. This option focuses only on a specific subset of the ecosystem and fails to represent the larger context of plants and animals.
B) 2,000 birds and mammals in the Amazon rainforest
This option accurately reflects the meaning of 'rich and diverse land' as it highlights the extensive variety of species, including birds and mammals, that inhabit the rainforest. The mention of 2,000 species illustrates the remarkable biodiversity that defines the Amazon, thus making this option correct.
C) The many kinds of plants growing in the Amazon rainforest
This choice partially captures the idea of diversity but is limited to plants alone. While the variety of plants contributes to the richness of the ecosystem, it does not account for the diverse animal life that also plays a crucial role in the ecological balance of the rainforest.
D) The large variety of Amazonian plants and animals
Although this option seems to encompass both plants and animals, it is too vague and does not specifically address the mention of 'rich and diverse land' in the context of the paragraph. The reference to '2,000 birds and mammals' in option B provides a more precise illustration of the diversity being discussed.
Conclusion
The correct answer, B, effectively illustrates the concept of 'rich and diverse land' by specifying the significant number of species, particularly birds and mammals, that inhabit the Amazon rainforest. Other options either lack a complete view of biodiversity or focus too narrowly on specific groups, making them less accurate in representing the richness of the ecosystem as described in the extract.