Read this passage about seals and sea lions and then answer the question that follows: From a distance, they both look like seals, but once you get up close you can actually see the difference. Seals and sea lions are both fish-loving mammals. Moreover, handy flippers propel them both through the water. But while seals have a tiny opening on the side of their heads, sea lions have actual earflaps. Furthermore, sea lions use their back flippers like feet to scoot along the beach. On the other hand, seals must wriggle and roll to get ahead. On the whole, when you visit a zoo or theme park, it's the honking, barking, funny sea lion you're likely to find playing to the crowds for fishy treats, earflaps and all.

In the passage about seals and sea lions, what is the purpose of the transition on the whole?

To show a contrast
To show a comparison
To emphasize an idea
To summarize

Middle schoolhistory 5+3 pts 1. the pacific islands formed by coral reefs are called (1 point) a. volcanic. b. reefs. c. atolls. d. plates. 2. what is a reason few people have settled in the interior of australia? (1 point) a. no mineral wealth is in the area. b. land is too expensive. c. the area is too dangerous. d. the area has little water and arable land. 3. what was one effect of plate movement on the pacific region? (1 point) a. australia and new zealand became b. connected to north america. c. plate movement isolated many species. few volcanoes formed. d. the regional climate grew much colder. 4. you live on a small island in the pacific ocean. though beautiful, your island has poor soil for farming and few natural resources. you most likely live (1 point) a. on a densely populated island. b. on the south island of new zealand. c. in new guinea on a volcanic island off the coast of australia. d. on a low island. 5. which change would most likely have to take place first to encourage more human settlement in the outback? (1 point) a. the climate would need to get warmer. b. the winters would need to be milder. c. the region would need more fertile land and water d. people would need to build more cities there. 6. what would be an example of how the maori are reclaiming their culture? (1 point) a. learning english b. playing rugby and other sports c. studying maori culture in schools d. learning how to cook asian cuisine 7. what conclusion can correctly be made about british colonization of this area? (1 point) a. the british policies embraced the cultures of the original inhabitants. b. the british disregarded the cultures of the original inhabitants. c. the british had a neutral policy toward native cultures. d. none of the above plz answer these