Earth Day Argument

Based on the information in Text 1, “The History of Earth Day,” what is the most accurate meaning of the word conservation as used in the article?

• Restoring damaged areas to their original conditions

• Researching how humans negatively impact the environment

• Saving and protecting the environment and its natural resources

• Developing strategies that will likely be useful in saving living things

Which sentence in Text 2, “Earth Day,” best demonstrates one effect of conservation?

• “The average American produces more than four pounds of garbage per day.”

• “It takes about 450 years for plastic beverage bottles to break down in a landfill.”

• “By recycling 1 ton of paper, we save enough energy to heat a home for six months.”

• “The average American uses about 100 gallons of water per day and more than 100,000 gallons of water per year.”

In Text 1, how does the author best illustrate the importance of conservation?

• She uses visual imagery to help the reader imagine what the world would look like if humans continue to be wasteful and create pollution.

• She lists the names of several important people who fought to make others aware of the results of pollution and waste.

• She provides data to show the negative impact of pollution on the world.

• She describes what is happening to forests all over the world.

What is the central idea of Text 1?

• Gaylord Nelson organized a huge event to bring people together to come up with ways to help the environment.

• President Kennedy campaigned unsuccessfully to convince people the environment was in danger.

• Many politicians acknowledged there were concerns about the environment, but none of them took action to address the issues.

• Gaylord Nelson’s tireless efforts to call attention to issues with the environment led to the creation of an annual event celebrating the health of our planet.

Which sentence from Text 1 best helps develop the central idea?

• “Nelson realized very few people were concerned about environmental problems like deforestation, the destruction of trees.”

• “The President set out on a five-day, 11-state conservation tour in September 1963.”

• “‘The idea that became Earth Day,’ said Nelson, ‘occurred to me while on a conservation speaking tour out West in the summer of 1969.’”

• “Gaylord Nelson died on July 3, 2005, but his contributions will always be remembered as younger generations continue his fight to preserve the world's environment.”

Read this sentence from paragraph 9 of Text 1.

“On April 22, 1970, more than 20 million demonstrators and thousands of schools and local communities participated in Nelson's demonstration.”

How does this sentence fit into the overall structure of the text and help contribute to the development of ideas?

• In paragraph 2 the author states that Nelson claimed that “very few people were concerned about environmental problems like deforestation, the destruction of trees.” This sentence shows that Nelson’s claim was actually incorrect at the time in which he made it.

• In paragraphs 4-5 the author describes the efforts of the Kennedys. This sentence describes an event they attended, emphasizing how supportive of Nelson’s efforts these men were.

• In paragraphs 1-8 the author describes Nelson’s efforts to bring attention to environmental issues. This sentence explains how successful those efforts eventually were.

• In paragraph 11 the author states that “younger generations continue his fight to preserve the world’s environment.” This sentence provides support for the author’s claim.

In Text 1, which claim made by the author is least supported by evidence?

• . “. . . , Gaylord Nelson decided something needed to be done to protect the environment.”

• “The work that he began led to what we now know as Earth Day.”

• “Word about the environment began to spread.”

• “. . . but his contributions will always be remembered as younger generations continue his fight to preserve the world's environment.”

Based on the information in Text 2, “Earth Day,” with which statement would the authors most likely agree?

• People are interested in learning new ways to protect the environment.

• Data proves that environmental pollution is going to have long-term effects.

• New ways to recycle materials have been discovered.

• Research shows that recycling has helped reduce environmental pollution.

Which sentence from Text 2 best helps develop the point of view that Data proves that environmental pollution is going to have long-term effects.

• “Almost half of the food in the U.S. goes to waste – approximately 3,000 pounds per second.”

• “It takes about 450 years for plastic beverage bottles to break down in a landfill.”

• “The energy saved by recycling one plastic bottle can power a computer for 25 minutes.”

• “The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle will operate a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.”

Which sentence from Text 2 best illustrates the fact that more people than ever before are taking advantage of opportunities to recycle?

• “Over the course of a year, that is more than 1,600 pounds of garbage per person.”

• “The recycling rate has increased from less than 10% in 1980 to more than 34% in 2011.”

• “Only 9% was recovered for recycling.”

• “By recycling 1 ton of paper, we save enough energy to heat a home for six months.”