Question

The Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, is a large ocean mammal found in Florida's rivers and coastal areas. Unfortunately, the state's population of manatees has dwindled significantly over the years. Although the manatee has no natural predators, humans have contributed to many manatee deaths, mainly through boat collisions. The loss of warm-water habitats has also hastened the manatee's decline. Aerial surveys performed in the early 1990s found an estimated 1,267 manatees in Florida. Because of conservation efforts by several organizations, however, the number of manatees has rebounded recently. The creation of manatee protection zones—areas that boaters must avoid or drive through more slowly—has been particularly effective. As a result of these efforts, more than 6,000 manatees are found in Florida today. 

Question 1

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?(1 point)

Responses

If boats are allowed at all in manatee protection zones, they are required to go at slower speeds.

If boats are allowed at all in manatee protection zones, they are required to go at slower speeds.

The Florida manatee population continues to decline despite conservation efforts.

The Florida manatee population continues to decline despite conservation efforts.

Conservation efforts for the Florida manatee have been largely ineffective.

Conservation efforts for the Florida manatee have been largely ineffective.

Thanks to conservation efforts, Florida manatee populations have increased.

Thanks to conservation efforts, Florida manatee populations have increased.

Question 2

The main, or central, idea of the passage is Thanks to conservation efforts, Florida manatee populations have increased. How does the detail in bold develop the main idea?(1 point)

Responses

It anticipates a potential flaw in conservation strategy.

It anticipates a potential flaw in conservation strategy.

It emphasizes the need for additional funding for manatee conservation efforts.

It emphasizes the need for additional funding for manatee conservation efforts.

 It suggests that the rebound in manatee populations is solely due to natural factors rather than human intervention.

 It suggests that the rebound in manatee populations is solely due to natural factors rather than human intervention.

Answer 1

**Question 1:**

The main, or central, idea of the passage is:

**Thanks to conservation efforts, Florida manatee populations have increased.**

**Question 2:**

The detail in bold develops the main idea by:

**It suggests that the rebound in manatee populations is solely due to natural factors rather than human intervention.**

(Note: In this case, none of the provided responses correctly align with the information in the passage. The correct option would emphasize the role of conservation efforts in the rebound of manatee populations, but given the provided choices, the last option is misleading. The appropriate response should reflect that the increase is attributed to human-led conservation efforts.)