Survival in the Hostile Environment of NW Rota-1
[1] Sixty miles north of Guam and more than
1,700 feet under the ocean’s surface is the summit of
NW Rota-1, an undersea volcano discovered in 2003.
[2] Surprisingly, the volcano appears to have been
continuously active; it even grew 130 feet in height
between 2006 and 2009. [3] Yet despite the hostile
environment created by the constant volcanic activity, life
is thriving there. [4] Special adaptations are the key to
survival. [5] At that depth, water pressure suppresses the
explosive force of the volcano’s eruptions, allowing
scientists to 1 watch and observe them up close via
remotely operated vehicles. 2
NW Rota-1 is far below the ocean’s photic zone
where sunlight drives photosynthesis; 3 nevertheless,
bacteria supporting a unique food web have adapted to
this perpetually dark environment. The bacteria have
evolved to use hydrogen sulfide instead of sunlight for
the energy that drives their metabolic processes, and
hydrothermal venting is the source of the chemical soup
necessary to support 4 him or her. Seawater seeping
into fissures in the ocean floor is heated by underlying
magma, and the heat drives chemical reactions that
remove oxygen, sulfates, 5 and remove other chemicals
from the water. Once the superheated water (up to 750°F)
rises through vents in the ocean floor, additional
reactions cause minerals and compounds to precipitate
onto the seafloor, where bacteria feed on them.
1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) watch
C) observe to see
D) visually watch
2. To make the paragraph most logical, sentences 5 hould be placed
A) where it is now.
B) after sentence 1.
C) after sentence 2.
D) after sentence 3.
3.
A) NO CHANGE
B) afterward,
C) furthermore,
D) similarly,
4.
A) NO CHANGE
B) one.
C) them.
D) it.
5.
A) NO CHANGE
B) it also removes
C) also removing
D) and