The nature of the biotic community largely depends on: (1) Biotic components (2) Abiotic components. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct — B, 2 only. The passage makes the point that what a biotic community looks like is largely governed by the physical, non-living conditions around it — climate, water, soil and the like — that is, the abiotic components. Those surroundings decide which organisms can survive and thrive there, so the answer keyed to the passage is the abiotic components alone.

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  1 only — The passage keys the community's character to its physical (abiotic) surroundings, not to the biotic components, so 'biotic components only' does not match the passage's claim.
• (c)
  Both 1 and 2 — This is the general-ecology trap: while both do interact in reality, the passage stresses the abiotic environment alone as what largely shapes the community, so 'both' claims more than the passage keys.
• (d)
  Neither 1 nor 2 — The passage does name a governing cause — the abiotic components — so 'neither' contradicts what the passage states.

A reading-comprehension item asking what chiefly shapes a biotic community, resting on the passage's stress on the physical (abiotic) environment.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The type of natural vegetation found in an area is chiefly determined by its:

  • (a)animal life
  • (b)physical environment such as climate and soil
  • (c)human population
  • (d)number of species names
  Answer(b) physical environment such as climate and soil — abiotic conditions set what can grow.
• practice — not a real PYQ

  Which factor most directly limits which organisms can live in a desert?

  • (a)the colour of the organisms
  • (b)abiotic conditions like water and temperature
  • (c)the number of species names
  • (d)the weekly rainfall forecast
  Answer(b) abiotic conditions like water and temperature — scarce water and high heat restrict life.