Question

Use the paragraph below to answer the question.

Beavers are an unlikely ally in the fight against wildfires. While beavers are most commonly known for their industrious dam building, they are also surprisingly beneficial to fire prevention. Beavers are able to create their own wetlands and slow the flow of water by damming streams, which in turn reduces the risk of wildfire. By slowing the flow of water, beavers create a buffer zone between the forest and the water source, reducing the risk of the fire spreading. The wetlands created by beavers also act as a firebreak, preventing the fire from spreading further into the forest. Additionally, the moist environment created by beavers helps create a fire-resistant habitat, making it less likely for a fire to take hold in the first place.

In 3-4 sentences, identify and explain an inference you made about beavers based on the passage. Support your answer with text evidence from the passage.

(4 points)

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

Based on the passage, an inference that can be made about beavers is that their dam building and wetland creation abilities contribute to fire prevention. The text states that by damming streams and creating wetlands, beavers can slow the flow of water and create a buffer zone that reduces the risk of wildfires spreading. Additionally, the moist environment created by beavers helps to create a fire-resistant habitat. Therefore, it can be inferred that beavers play an important role in minimizing the risk and spread of wildfires.

Answer 2

[AI-generated answer — Step-by-Step Bot]

Based on the passage, an inference that can be made about beavers is that their ability to create wetlands and slow the flow of water can aid in preventing wildfires. This inference is supported by the text evidence that states, "By slowing the flow of water, beavers create a buffer zone between the forest and the water source, reducing the risk of the fire spreading." This suggests that beavers play a role in reducing the risk of wildfires by creating a barrier between the forest and potential sources of ignition.