The Farallon Islands, or Devil’s Teeth, as they are referred to by sailors, are a group…

The Farallon Islands, or Devil’s Teeth, as they are referred to by sailors, are a group of small islands with rocky, barren terrain and treacherous underwater currents, 48 km (30 miles) off the coast of San Francisco, California. Although the islands are small, with a combined total land area of 0.41 km squared (0.16 square miles), they are positioned in a major ocean current, which enables them to house dense populations of birds, rodents, seals, and other water mammals.
The abundance of wildlife first attracted Russian and American fur traders in the early 1800s, who then nearly eliminated the seal population in the area. The islands then became an agricultural resource for San Francisco during the Gold Rush era when egg companies began harvesting bird eggs on the islands. In 1863, violence between rival egg companies erupted on the islands (known as the “Egg War”), which inadvertently attracted national attention and provoked law makers to pass legislation to protect and rehabilitate the islands’ natural ecosystem.
In 1881, an executive order was passed that decreed egging illegal on the Farallon. This ended private enterprises on the islands and was reinforced in 1909 when President Theodore Roosevelt created the Farallon Reservation to restrict human access and preserve the northern islands. Protection was expanded in 1967 to include all the Farallon Islands, and over time many of the islands’ original inhabitants have returned. The Farallon are now home to the world’s largest population of western gulls. Seals have returned, as well as otters and sea lions, which in turn attracts great white sharks. The combination of sharks, underwater currents, and jagged coastline are probably what earned the Farallon’s their nickname, “Devil’s Teeth,” though it hasn’t stopped a few adventurous people from swimming. Four people have completed the 30-mile swim from the islands to San Francisco; the fastest person completed the journey in 14 hours.
Q1. Which of the following is a credible source that the author might have consulted to help write the article?
A copy of a story published by the Fish and wildlife service, originally written by a former refuge manager.
A biography of President Theodore Roosevelt, with an emphasis on his passion for hunting.
A nutritionist’s scholarly journal article on gold rush miners’ diets.
An 1890 cartographer’s notes on efforts to map northern California’s coastline.
Q2. Which of the following pieces of evidence does the author use to speculate why the Farallon Islands are called “The Devil’s Teeth”?
a. In 1863, violence broke out on the islands during the Egg War.
b. They have always been called that by sailors who travel those waters.
c. The islands have sharks, choppy currents, and irregular coastline.
d. Swimming from San Francisco to the islands is very risky.
Q3. Which of the following supports the detail that the Farallon Islands are a natural home to many animals?
A. Abundant land
B. Human presence
C. Lush landscape
D. Ocean currents