A day with Humpbacks
I sat on the deadlands of Neah Bay, Washington, and watched a mother humpback and her calf slip through the icy Pacific waters. I recognized this humpback by her distinctive tall patterns, as unique to her as my fingerprints are to me. Once, heavy hunting using harpoons decimated populations of humpbacks, but they have since started to recover.
As this gray female rises to the surface, she exhales, sending up a spout nearly 20 feet high. She rolls on her side and lifts her scalloped edge flipper in salute, then slaps it on the water. I adjust my lens and take a shot. This is the only type of whale hunting I find acceptable – hunting with a camera!
Which of the following statements conveys the main idea of the passage?
A.
This particular humpback whale has never been seen previously by the author
B.
Humpback whales travel in waters near Washington
C.
Cameras and harpoons are both ways of hunting humpbacks
D.
Humpbacks while populations are finally recovering after nearly being wiped out.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Humpbacks whale populations are finally recovering after nearly being wiped out.
Explanation:
The passage “A day with Humpbacks” primarily emphasizes the recovery of humpback whale populations, which were once severely decimated by hunting practices using harpoons. The author introduces the scene by describing their observation of a mother humpback and her calf in the waters near Neah Bay, Washington. This personal encounter is used to highlight a broader narrative about the resurgence of humpback whales after a period of significant decline.
The passage contrasts the past, when humpback whales were heavily hunted, with the present, where these majestic creatures are beginning to repopulate. This contrast serves to underscore the main idea: the recovery of humpback whale populations. The author’s description of the whale’s distinctive features and behavior, such as the spout of water and the flipper salute, draws attention to the uniqueness and majesty of these animals, further reinforcing the significance of their recovery.
While the author does mention using a camera to “hunt” the whale, this statement is a secondary point that emphasizes the non-lethal form of interaction with these creatures. The main focus remains on the recovery of the humpback whale population, rather than on the methods of hunting (whether by harpoon or camera).
Option A is incorrect because the author explicitly recognizes the whale by its distinctive tail pattern, indicating prior encounters or knowledge of this particular whale. Option B, while true, is too specific and does not capture the broader message of the passage. Option C contrasts camera and harpoon hunting but misses the central theme of the whales’ recovery.
Ultimately, the passage is a reflection on the positive changes in the conservation status of humpback whales, making option D the best representation of the main idea.