Question

the alabee tree is one of many forest plant species native to the hawaiian island and are at risk of extinction. the survival of most of these plants to the birdy depends on birds eating their fruits and then dropping the seeds in new locations (a process called seed dispersal). oahus native fruit-eating birds all gone extinct, but studies show that the red-vented bulbul and other fruit-eating birds brought to oahu in the last 150 years now act as seed dispersers. these findings suggest that
12 which choice most logically completes the text?
a without birds like the red-vented bulbul, alabee trees and other native forest plants would be at even greater risk of extinction.
b if they lose access to alabee trees, birds like the red-vented bulbul may also be at risk of extinction.
c birds like the red-vented bulbul havent been eating the fruits produced by the alabee tree or other native forest plants.
d the alabee tree will have to develop ways of spreading to new places without the help of birds like the red-vented bulbul.

Explanation:

The text states that the survival of native forest plants (like the alahee tree) depends on birds (such as the red - vented bulbul) for seed dispersal. If these birds (which act as seed dispersers) were not present, the plants would be in a worse situation. Option A follows this logical flow. Option B reverses the relationship (the focus is on plant survival due to birds, not bird survival due to plants). Option C contradicts the text which says the birds do act as seed dispersers (so they are using the fruits). Option D goes against the text's indication that birds are currently helping with seed dispersal and there's no mention of the plant needing to develop new ways without bird help.

Answer:

A. Without birds like the red - vented bulbul, alahee trees and other native forest plants would be at even greater risk of extinction.