Researchers and conservationists stress that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is ______. For example, people can
take simple steps such as washing their footwear after travel to avoid introducing potentially invasive organisms into new
environments.
preventable
undeniable
common
concerning
Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of how biodiversity loss due to
invasive species can be avoided. As used in this context, “preventable” means able to be stopped or kept from happening.
The text indicates that “people can take simple steps” to avoid bringing possible invasive species into new environments. It
presents these steps as an example of how biodiversity loss due to invasive species is preventable.
Choice B is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to say that a simple step like washing your shoes after traveling is an
example of biodiversity loss due to invasive species being “undeniable,” or something that can’t be proved to be wrong.
Although the text may suggest that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is something that really happens, the word that
completes the text must make the ﬁrst sentence into an assertion that is illustrated by the second sentence, and the second
sentence illustrates the idea that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is preventable, not undeniable. Choice C is
incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to say that a simple step like washing your shoes after traveling is an example of
biodiversity loss due to invasive species being “common,” or something that happens regularly. Additionally, the text doesn’t
provide any information about how frequently invasive species cause biodiversity loss. Choice D is incorrect because it
wouldn’t make sense to say that a simple step like washing your shoes after traveling is an example of biodiversity loss due
to invasive species being “concerning,” or something that is troubling or causes worry. Although the text implies that the
phenomenon of biodiversity loss due to invasive species is itself a concerning phenomenon, the word that completes the
text must make the ﬁrst sentence into an assertion that is illustrated by the second sentence, and the second sentence
illustrates the idea that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is preventable, not concerning.