What claim does the author make in the article “Protect the Manatees”?

• Manatees are not in danger because they have specific habitats that are protected.

• People have the power to take action and save the manatee population.

• Manatees are mostly endangered because of their slow population growth.

• People do not pay attention to posters and signs that protect manatees.

Read the information in paragraph 3. Which sentence supports the claim of the article "Protect the Manatees"?

• There are ways that people can keep these innocent animals safe.

• Drivers of fast-moving boats do not see manatees until it is too late.

• Therefore, slow-speed zones in areas where manatees live would help to protect them.

• A poster, such as the one on the next page, could be displayed on the waterways where manatees live.

Part 3 A

What claim does the author make in the article “Paper or Plastic”?

• Charging customers for plastic bags is the most effective way to encourage reusable bag usage.

• Paper bags are superior to plastic bags because they decompose faster.

• Requiring people to use paper shopping bags is not a progressive solution.

• Plastic bags are more environmentally friendly than paper bags due to their recyclability.

Part 3 B

Which sentence from the text best supports the response to Part A? Select TWO correct answers.

• Evidence suggests that paper bags are actually worse than plastic ones. (paragraph 3)

• It is a wasteful process that uses about half of each tree that goes into the factory. (paragraph 3)

• The rest of the tree is discarded into water sources or landfills. (paragraph 3)

• The solution to these problems is not using one type of shopping bag over the other; instead, people need to change their habits. (paragraph 4)

• Encouraging people to be responsible about shopping bags may not be enough. (paragraph 5)

Question 4

Read this sentence from paragraph 3.

"Is it more progressive to require people to use paper shopping bags rather than plastic ones?" How does the author show that this argument is untrue?

• By observing the use of shopping bags

• By paraphrasing expert scientists

• By interviewing store owners

• By quoting expert scientists

Question 5

What idea does the author include to support the claim that we need to consider alternatives to plastic and paper shopping bags? Support your answer with evidence from the selection.

Answer explanation

The author includes the idea of encouraging people to change their habits and consider alternatives to plastic and paper shopping bags. The text states, "The solution to these problems is not using one type of shopping bag over the other; instead, people need to change their habits." This idea is further supported by the mention of reusable bags made of cloth or cotton, and using homemade shopping containers like baskets or backpacks.