Amazon Ablaze

Which of the following sentences from the introduction [paragraphs 1-5] BEST develops a central idea of the article?

• Which of the following sentences from the introduction [paragraphs 1-5] BEST develops a central idea of the article?

• "There is nothing abnormal about the climate this year or the rainfall in the Amazon region, which is just a little below average," INPE researcher Alberto Setzer said.

• Speaking of the fires, he noted that the current dry season conditions make it easier for fires to spread, but it doesn't cause fires.

• The fires have covered São Paulo in dark smoke, and they are raising concerns about the rain forest, which is one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth.

A central idea of the article is that the fires in the Amazon will lead to an increase in global warming.

How does this idea shift over the course of the article?

• The article discusses the significance of carbon emissions resulting from the fires, while also describing the predicament farmers find themselves in when they need to clear land.

• The article discusses the significance of carbon emissions resulting from the fires, while also emphasizing the effects of deforestation on both the Amazon and on climate change.

• The article discusses how the Amazon currently contributes to global warming, while also providing a detailed overview of what global warming is and its multiple causes.

• The article discusses how the Amazon currently contributes to global warming, while also illustrating the diverse species of plants and animals that reside in the rain forest.

What are the reasons WHY environmental scientists are extremely concerned about the damage being done to the Amazon?

The Amazon absorbs one-fourth of all carbon absorbed by forests each year.

The rate of forest loss in the Amazon has increased 40 percent since last year.

Satellites may be unable to detect fires hidden beneath tree canopies.

Current activities suggest that half of Amazonian tree species will be threatened in the future.

• 1 and 2, only

• 3 and 4, only

• 1, 2 and 4

• 2, 3 and 4

Which of the following people mentioned in the article would be MOST LIKELY to agree with the idea that the wildfires in the Amazon will likely get worse this year?

• Alberto Setzer

• Jair Bolsonaro

• Mikaela Weisse

• Vitor Gomes