Question

vocabulary practice: cloze reading - fill in the blanks.
word bank survive extinct benefit endangered significantly reverse estimate ability
human activity has significantly changed the natural world, and many animals are now at risk of becoming __ (1). scientists (2) that thousands of species are currently (3) because of habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. when animals lose their (4) to find food, shelter, or safe places to raise their young, they struggle to (5). protecting wildlife does not only (6) animals — it also helps keep ecosystems healthy for humans. experts say that if we work together, we may still be able to (7) some of the damage and prevent more species from going __ (8).

Explanation:

1. Blank (1): "extinct" fits the phrase "at risk of becoming" as it describes the final state of species lost forever due to human activity.
2. Blank (2): "estimate" is the correct verb for scientists making an approximate count of affected species.
3. Blank (3): "endangered" describes species that are at risk of extinction, matching the context of threats like habitat loss.
4. Blank (4): "ability" refers to the animals' capacity to find food, shelter, etc.
5. Blank (5): "survive" makes sense as the struggle when animals lose their essential resources.
6. Blank (6): "benefit" is correct because protecting wildlife helps animals, and also supports healthy ecosystems for humans.
7. Blank (7): "reverse" means to undo or fix the damage done to wildlife and ecosystems.
8. Blank (8): "extinct" completes the phrase "prevent more species from going", referring to stopping species from being lost forever.

Answer:

1. extinct
2. estimate
3. endangered
4. ability
5. survive
6. benefit
7. reverse
8. extinct