Question

a wondrous diversity of life from the national park service
biological diversity is the hallmark of great smoky mountains national park, which encompasses over 800 square miles in the southern appalachian mountains. no other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match the park’s amazing diversity of plants and animals, including invertebrates. over 17,000 species have been documented in the park, and scientists believe an additional 30,000-80,000 species may live here.
select the correct text in the passage.
which word helps clarify the meaning of the word invertebrates?

Explanation:

To solve the problem of clarifying the meaning of "invertebrates", we analyze the context:

1. The passage lists "plants and animals, including invertebrates".
2. In biology, "invertebrates" are animals without a backbone (e.g., insects, worms, mollusks). The surrounding text emphasizes the park’s biodiversity of living organisms (plants, animals).

To clarify "invertebrates", we look for a word/phrase related to animal classification (specifically non - vertebrate animals). Since the passage is about the park’s biological diversity (organisms), the term "animals" (or a related term about animal groups without backbones) helps. However, if we assume the question is about a word in the passage that clarifies it (e.g., from the sentence "over 17,000 species have been documented in the park, and scientists believe an additional 30,000 - 80,000 species may live here" or the broader "animals" context), the key is that "invertebrates" are a type of animal. So the word "animals" (from the phrase "plants and animals, including invertebrates") clarifies that invertebrates are a subset of animals.

The word "animals" clarifies "invertebrates" because the passage states "plants and animals, including invertebrates", showing invertebrates are a type of animal (those without a backbone).

Answer:

The word "animals" (from the phrase "plants and animals, including invertebrates") helps clarify the meaning of "invertebrates" as it shows invertebrates are a subset of animals.