Multiple choice

Directions: Select the appropriate word from the given options and fill blank (iv).

Directions: In the following passage, for each numbered blank, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

The world’s climate has always changed and species have evolved accordingly to survive it. The surprising fact about the relationship between evolution and global warming is that it is not linear. ___(i)___ temperatures alone are not ___(ii)___ of evolution. Evolution is also the ___(iii)___ of seasonal changes. As the environment changes, those species which don’t adapt ___(iv)___ to exist. But the sheer pace of manmade climate change today is ___(v)___. ‘Bad things are happening’ and by one forecast global warming could threaten upto one-third of the world’s species if left unchecked. In fact a lot of the species which will be able to survive are the ones we consider pests like insects and weeds.

  1. fail

  2. halt

  3. cease

  4. terminate

  5. discontinue

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'cease to exist' is the correct idiomatic expression in formal English, meaning to stop living or continuing. 'Fail to exist' and 'halt to exist' are not standard English collocations. The context discusses species that cannot adapt, and 'cease' is the most appropriate term for complete停止 of existence.