Make the Switch!

Mimi’s essay does not have a strong position statement. Which of the following sentences should replace sentence 6 to serve as an effective position statement?

• It’s foolish to buy several bottles of water each day when there’s no good reason for doing this.

• People need to stop doing this now and protest against bottled-water companies.

• These problems can be solved, however, if people choose to drink water from reusable containers instead of plastic bottles.

• The list of problems that people are causing, such as increasing pollution, by buying bottled water is endless.

What is the most effective way to combine sentences 8 and 9?

• Bottled water may be attractively packaged, but it is simply processed tap water.

• Bottled water is simply processed tap water because it is attractively packaged

• Bottled water may be attractively packaged, so it is simply processed tap water.

• Bottled water is attractively packaged, because it is simply processed tap water.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Mimi wants to improve the transition between the third paragraph (sentences 14–18) and the fourth paragraph (sentences 19–23). Which sentence can be added before sentence 19 to accomplish this goal?

• Because bottled water can cost so much, a reusable water bottle is a wise investment.

• People think bottled water is harmless, and other plastic containers are just as bad.

• Money is a concern for many people, so it should be saved whenever possible.

• Bottled water is a huge monetary expense, but the cost to our planet is even greater.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the most effective way to revise sentence 21?

• Also consider that many bottles are discarded into landfills, where the bottles release chemicals as they decompose over hundreds of years.

• Also consider that landfills are filled with released chemicals, where they decompose many discarded bottles over hundreds of years.

• These bottles, decomposing over hundreds of years, should also be considered to release chemicals where they have been discarded into landfills.

• Over hundreds of years, landfills are filled with many bottles, and it should also be considered that the bottles decompose and release chemicals.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Mimi wants to conclude her essay by motivating her readers to take action. Which of the following statements should she insert after sentence 29 to accomplish this goal?

• The future of our planet depends on people like you doing away with a terrible threat—plastic water bottles.

• We should make the decision today to be smart about our finances and responsible with our planet by opting for reusable water bottles.

• Think of how much you can help the fish in our lakes, rivers, and oceans by avoiding bottled water.

• Choose reusable water bottles, and watch your savings grow.