The author uses the example of Chinese bushclover in order to

• provide an example of the native plants that grew on the mountains before coal companies removed the vegetation

• suggest that the regulations in place for protecting the environment are imperfect, but butter than no regulations at all

• argue that the coal companies prioritize making money over protecting the environment

• identify one type of native plant that would be appropriate for the coal companies to replant on the mountainside

According to the passage, the current process of overburden disposal creates environmental hazards because

• the sludge dams bult by the mining companies are incapable of safely containing the runoff

• mining companies often dump the overburden directly into municipal drinking water supplies

• in an effort to cut corners and save money, mining companies leave overburden unsecured on mountainsides, creating a potential for landslides.

• mining companies contend that the hemicals found in overburden are not nearly as toxic as the environmental regulators would have people believe

In paragraph4, the word "mitigate" most nearly means

• seriously consider

• raise concerns about

• enhance

• make less severe

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following sentences best summarizes the author's attitude towards MTR mining?

• Because MTR mining is so much faster and more efficient than traditional sub-surface mining, mining companies should invest in technology that make the process sager and more environmentally-friendly

• Current regulations on MTR mining put so much of a financial burden on coal companies that they have no incentive to protect the environment.

• The practice of MTR mining is shortsighted and irresponsible. Mining companies are more interested financial gains that the long-term effects they are having on the environment.

• Although MTR mining does significant damage to the environment, it is much more efficient than traditional subsurface mining. Regulations to reverse damage to vegetation and prevent overburden runoff to vegetation and provide sufficient protection

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

According to the passage, what prevents cracks from forming on the dactyl club when the mantis shrimp lands its punches?

• cushioning form the chitosan layer

• the elastic nature of the inner polysaccharide layer

• the extreme durability of the hydroxyapatite layer

• the way the layers of materials are aligned

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

The main idea of paragraph 3 is that

• even extremely advanced computer models of mantis shrimp punches have shown scientists very little about spring mechanics

• the manis shrimp's spring-powered punches are so complex that scientists are just beginning to understand how they work

• artificial technology will likely never advance to the point where human beings can replicate the power of"natureal robots" like the mantis shrimp

• animals, that rely on muscle strength are likely to be weaker and slower than animals that use spring mechanisms

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

Which of the following sentences best summarizes the relationship between paragraph 2 and paragraph 3?

• 
• 
• 
• 

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

It can be inferred that the author

• worries that scientists are exploiting mantis shrimp for human gain

• thinks that mantis shrimp pose a more serous threat to human beings than most people are aware of

• assumes that most readers are unfamiliar with mantis shrimp

• believes that scientists need to find a way to reduce the amount of damage mantis shrimp cause to ocean ecosystems

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6