Question

Living things can only survive when their needs are met. What happens, then, when they are introduced to an environment where there are obstacles between them and their needs? If animals don’t find a way to meet their needs, they will die. If all of the organisms within a species die out, that species is considered extinct. To avoid extinction, animals must change so they can meet their needs. In other words, they must adapt.

Adaptations
An adaptation is a change in an organism that helps it better survive in an environment. Organisms often adapt when they are introduced to a new environment or their current environment changes. Changes in an environment may be beneficial to the organism. For example, let’s say a bird is accustomed to eating berries and seeds in its environment. This bird would benefit greatly if the number of berry bushes in its environment doubled. Some environmental changes, however, can be harmful. For example, what if a new species of a seed-and-berry-eating rodent was introduced to the bird’s habitat? The bird may have less access to food due to competition with the rodent. If the bird doesn’t change to compensate for this new obstacle (the rodent), it risks starvation. It is in such adverse environmental conditions that adaptations occur.


Questions
An objective summary of the text would include which of the following? Select two.

Information about the diets of most bird species

An explanation of what adaptations are and why they are significant

An argument about why people must protect animals from extinction

An explanation of how environmental changes can impact animals

Answer 1

An objective summary of the text would include the following two options:

1. **An explanation of what adaptations are and why they are significant.**

2. **An explanation of how environmental changes can impact animals.**