Question 25

Ocean currents support the detail that the Farallon Islands are a natural home to many animals.

The presence of major ocean currents around the Farallon Islands allows for a rich marine ecosystem, which contributes to the dense populations of various wildlife, including birds, rodents, seals, and other marine mammals.

A) Ocean currents

This option is correct because the extract explicitly states that the islands are positioned in a major ocean current, which enables them to support diverse wildlife populations. The currents likely provide nutrients and facilitate the movement of organisms, making the area a thriving habitat.

B) Human presence

While human presence has historically impacted the Farallon Islands, it has often been detrimental to wildlife, as seen during the fur trading and egg harvesting periods. Therefore, this option does not support the notion of the islands being a natural home for animals but rather highlights human interference.

C) Lush landscape

This option is incorrect as the extract describes the Farallon Islands as having rocky, barren terrain. The lack of a lush landscape suggests that the environment is not conducive to a wide variety of terrestrial wildlife, which undermines the idea of it being a natural home for many animals.

D) Abundant land

This option is misleading because the combined land area of the Farallon Islands is quite small (0.41 km²). The limited land area does not imply abundance but rather indicates constraints on terrestrial habitats, which makes this option incorrect in supporting the detail about the islands as a home to many animals.

Conclusion

The correct answer, ocean currents, is essential in supporting the diverse animal populations found on the Farallon Islands. In contrast, the other options fail to provide a valid rationale for the islands being a natural habitat, either due to historical human impact or misrepresentations of the islands' environmental characteristics.