from Silent Spring Rhetorical Analysis

In paragraph 7, the writer suggests that insecticides can best be understood as:

• two hundred chemicals created to improve the biologic experience for insects

• the writer’s euphemism for the chemical Strontium 90

• a barrage of poisons regularly unleashed upon the surface of the earth

• chemicals that are proven to only harm specific “bad” insects

• nonselective chemicals that have the power to evolve naturally

The writer’s attitude toward the use of chemicals in paragraph 2 is best characterized as which of the following?

• The writer appears to be disinterested about the use of chemicals in day-to-day life.

• The writer expresses calmness about the use of chemicals in the environment.

• The writer demonstrates an attitude of hopefulness about what can be done about chemicals in the environment.

• The writer conveys a sense of bitterness and anger about chemicals in the environment.

• The writer projects a sense of urgency and distress about chemicals in the environment.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

The writer of this passage might best be described as a:

• passionate and concerned individual with deep scientific knowledge

• speculative and reserved individual who explores the potential for disaster

• gritty and blunt news journalist bent on taking down chemical companies

• powerful and eloquent witness to the desecration of the animal life around her

• disgruntled and bitter amateur naturalist determined to ban all synthetic chemicals

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

The primary function of the sentence beginning “Only within the moment of time . . .” (par. 1) is to:

• encourage the reader to adopt an attitude of sensitivity toward the environment

• support the writer’s point that humanity cannot do anything to aid the environment

• celebrate the specific historical moment when humans began shaping the world

• provide contrast to the preceding situation, where nature shaped living things

• indicate the time span needed for a species to reach environmental dominance

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

As used in paragraph 7, the phrase “to still the song of birds” implies that the:

• birds develop a serious vocal condition where they can no longer make a single sound and the environment will be less enjoyable as a result of these changes

• other species, including birds, are deeply and irreversibly affected by the human-created changes to their environments, and many die as a result of these changes

• poetry of the natural world will begin to disappear as the use of chemicals continues and human art and literature will suffer as a result of these changes

• beauty and music present in the forests is fading as Strontium 90 decimates all life, and human life on earth is threatened as a result of these changes

• birds experience a momentary lull in song, having been temporarily disrupted by consuming the chemicals that humans are using on their habitats

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

In paragraph 2, the writer strengthens her argument by comparing the dispersal of chemical agents to:

• living tissues and bones

• a string of evil events

• devils unknowingly created by humanity

• poisoned, once pure wells

• a combination of wind and sun

In paragraph 2, the phrase “the chain of evil” is used primarily to:

• compare pollution to the destruction of living tissues

• reiterate the writer’s claim that chemicals are sinister

• concede that it will be years before the effects of pollution are realized

• appeal to the emotions of the audience

• offer a systematic pattern of logic to present factual information

The writer’s perspective in this passage is reflected in all of the following statements EXCEPT:

• Humans can be thoughtless and selfish; the results can be deadly.

• Humanity’s disregard for the natural world can result in violence to the Earth and its living beings.

• Humanity has great power to both destroy and redeem the flora and fauna of the natural world.

• Humanity’s actions toward the environment can be both intentional and cruel.

• Humanity is currently taking deliberate actions to restore the Earth and reverse environmental trends.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

According to the passage, what is the primary reason that life struggles to adapt to new chemicals introduced by humans?

• The chemicals are too similar to natural elements, causing confusion in adaptation.

• The rate of introduction of new chemicals is too rapid for natural adaptation.

• The chemicals are designed to specifically target and eliminate pests.

• The chemicals are only harmful to non-human species.

• The chemicals are absorbed too quickly by the environment.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What does the writer imply about the relationship between humans and the environment in the modern world?

• Humans have always lived in harmony with the environment.

• The environment has become more resilient to human activities.

• Human activities have drastically altered the environment in a short time.

• The environment is slowly adapting to human-induced changes.

• Human influence on the environment is negligible.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.8.6