Question
1. (1) It’s often been said that the last remaining living thing on Earth will be the cockroach. (2) These large, creepy bugs may not have many fans, but their resilience and adaptability are amazing. (3) Roaches have been around for more than 350 million years. (4) They outlived dinosaurs and survived the Ice Age as a result of their armor-like bodies that can endure pressure up to 350 pounds and freezing or sizzling temperatures. (5) In modern times, it’s not unusual for a cockroach to get trapped in a refrigerator for a day or two and then casually emerge when the refrigerator door is eventually opened. (6) In addition to adapting to extreme conditions, roaches can also adjust to lengthy periods without food or water. (7) Their ability to go into a state of semi-hibernation allows some roaches to live for months on nothing but dust. (8) Many roaches have built up resistance to even the most powerful insecticides, making them virtually impossible to exterminate. (9) And if you’re thinking that you’ll just chase the roach down and swat it, think again. (10) Some roaches can scurry away at speeds of up to 5 miles per hour, and many have adhesives on their bodies that enable them to scuttle up to the ceiling and hang out until the coast is clear. (11) But even when cornered, roaches have the stunning ability to flatten themselves as thin as dimes and disappear into the narrowest of crevices.