Question

questions 1–5 are based on the following passage. the passage below is a draft. mexican gray wolves (1) since 1998, when dwindling numbers of mexican gray wolves prompted the federal government to protect them in new mexico (and later arizona), the number of these wolves has steadily increased (by 12 percent last year). the endangered species act, the number of livestock lost to wolf attacks has also increased, as the number of mexican gray wolves in the wild has grown. (2) the frustration of new mexico ranchers has also increased, as the number of livestock lost to wolf attacks has also increased, making it clear that the new mexico wilderness areas where the wolves are released are not large enough to support the growing wolf population. (3) federal reports identify the mexican gray wolf as responsible for the deaths of 188 domestic animals in the past year, making it clear that the new mexico legislature needs to consider measures to control the wolf population. (4) as the west under similar protections, states like wyoming and idaho are considering adding more protected wilderness areas to the endangered species list, hoping to prevent the kind of conflict between ranchers and wolves that has occurred in new mexico. question 1 of 9 which of the following sentences, if placed before sentence 1, would introduce the paragraph’s topic and capture the audience’s interest? a) the mexican gray wolf appears often in the mythology of the indigenous peoples of the american southwest. b) a photo in the may 20 issue of the alternative journal features a young mexican gray wolf cub killed by a hunting accident. c) a photo in the may 20 issue of the alternative journal features a young mexican gray wolf cub killed by a hunting accident. d) taxonomically a unique species, the mexican gray wolf is often mistaken for its more numerous cousin, the american gray wolf. e) similar to other endangered species, the mexican gray wolf has faced threats to its survival due to habitat loss and human activity.

Explanation:

The passage is about the Mexican gray wolf, its protection, impact on ranchers, and related legislative actions. The question asks which sentence introduces the topic and main idea. We need to analyze each option:

• Option A: Talks about a specific photo and incident, not the main topic.
• Option B: Mentions a photo of a wolf eating, also a specific incident.
• Option C: Discusses a New York Times feature, not the main theme.
• Option D: (Assuming the correct option is about the wolf's presence and ranchers' frustration, but from the passage, the key is the first part about wolf protection and ranchers' issues. Wait, the passage's first sentences set the topic: since 1998, wolf protection in New Mexico, ranchers' livestock loss, and frustration. So the correct sentence should introduce the topic of Mexican gray wolves, their protection, and the conflict with ranchers. Looking at the options, maybe the one that states the Mexican gray wolf appears where... but need to check. Wait, the user's question is about which sentence (placed before sentence 1) introduces the topic. Wait, the passage starts with (1) Since 1998... So the question is which sentence, if placed before (1), introduces the topic. Let's re-express:

The passage is about Mexican gray wolves, their protection under the Endangered Species Act, the increase in livestock deaths (frustrating ranchers), and legislative responses. So the sentence that introduces the topic should set up the wolf's presence, protection, and the ranchers' conflict. Let's analyze the options:

• Option A: "The Mexican gray wolf appears... people of the American Southwest" – this introduces the wolf's presence and a conflict (killed by a hunter), which relates to the topic of wolf protection and ranchers' issues (since ranchers might hunt wolves for livestock loss). This could introduce the topic.

• Option B: A photo of a wolf in a rancher's yard – specific incident, not introductory.

• Option C: New York Times feature – about a specific article, not introductory.

• Option D: Taxonomically unique... – about the wolf's classification, not the main topic of protection and ranchers' conflict.

So the best is Option A, as it introduces the wolf, its presence in the Southwest, and a conflict (killed by a hunter), which leads into the passage's topic of protection, livestock loss, and ranchers' frustration.

Answer:

A. The Mexican gray wolf appears often in the mythology, folklore, and stories of the people of the American Southwest, but a photo in the May 20 issue of the Alternative Journal publishes a photo of a rancher in New Mexico who has a sheep killed by a hungry Mexican gray wolf.