Question

the most hunted and illegally traded animal in the world is the pangolin. found in asia and africa, the pangolin is the only mammal covered in scales. the scales are made of keratin. keratin is a hard substance found in human hair and nails. another unusual thing about the pangolin is its long tongue. this can be as much as 40 centimeters long in some, sometimes even longer than the animal itself. the pangolin uses it tongue to collect insects from holes. around 100,000 pangolins are hunted each year. thousands of people traffic them for their meat is considered a high - end delicacy and their blood, a healing tonic. as a result, pangolins have most likely vanished in china and scales used in medicine. in china and vietnam, their meat is considered a high - end delicacy and their blood, a healing tonic. as a result, pangolins have most likely vanished in china and around 100,000 pangolins are hunted each year. thousands of people traffic them for their scales used in medicine. in china and vietnam, thailand, southeast asia, and africa. in india, pangolin hunting is banned. however, this isnt completely stopping hunters. its no surprise that all pangolin species is on the endangered list. this is a sad story for one of the most fascinating animals on earth.
③ which sentence shows a cause of decline in pangolin population?
a. the most hunted and illegally traded animal in the world is the pangolin.
b. its no surprise that all pangolin species is on the endangered list.
c. thousands of people traffic them for their scales used in medicine.
d. this is a sad story of one of the most fascinating animals on earth.

Explanation:

To determine which sentence shows a cause of decline in pangolin population, we analyze each option:

• Option a: Mentions that all pangolin species are on the endangered list. This is a result of decline rather than a cause.
• Option b: States that thousands of people traffic them for their scales used in medicine. This directly indicates human - induced hunting (a cause) as the scales' use in medicine leads to trafficking.
• Option c: Says it's a sad story for one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. This is a general statement and not a cause of decline.
• Option d: Mentions it's a sad story. Again, a general emotional statement, not a cause.

Answer:

b. It's no surprise that all pangolin species are on the endangered list. It's no surprise that thousands of people traffic them for their scales used in medicine.