Interactive Reading — Environment

Deforestation is the clearing of forests for agriculture, logging, or development. Tropical forests are disappearing at an alarming rate, which contributes to climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide. When forests are cut down, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Deforestation contributes to climate change because ___. A) it makes the weather hotter B) it releases stored carbon into the atmosphere C) trees produce carbon dioxide D) agriculture requires more energy

Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose in the natural environment. As a result, plastic waste accumulates in landfills and oceans, harming wildlife that mistakes it for food. Many countries have begun banning single-use plastics to reduce this growing problem. Countries are banning single-use plastics in order to ___. A) increase production costs B) reduce plastic waste in the environment C) promote the use of paper bags D) make shopping more convenient

Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power do not produce greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, manufacturing the equipment — solar panels and wind turbines — does require energy and materials that have environmental costs. The passage suggests that renewable energy ___. A) has no environmental costs at all B) produces more emissions than fossil fuels C) is clean during operation but has manufacturing costs D) is too expensive to be practical

Wetlands act as natural water filters by trapping pollutants and sediment as water flows through them. They also absorb excess water during floods and release it slowly, reducing the risk of flooding downstream. Despite these benefits, many wetlands have been drained for agriculture. Wetlands help prevent flooding by ___. A) blocking rivers completely B) absorbing excess water and releasing it slowly C) creating barriers against the ocean D) redirecting water to dry areas

Ocean acidification occurs when seawater absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, lowering its pH level. This chemical change weakens the shells of marine organisms such as oysters and corals, threatening ecosystems that millions of people depend on for food and income. Ocean acidification threatens marine organisms by ___. A) raising water temperatures B) weakening their shells C) reducing the amount of oxygen in water D) making the water too salty

Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them an attractive alternative to petrol cars. However, the environmental benefit depends largely on how the electricity used to charge them is generated. If the power comes from coal plants, the overall emissions may not be significantly lower. The passage argues that the environmental benefit of electric vehicles depends on ___. A) the size of the vehicle B) the source of electricity used to charge them C) how fast they can travel D) whether they are made domestically