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Analyzing Multiple Ideas
Thawing Arctic Ice
In recent decades, the Earth's atmosphere has been warming as a result of global warming and climate change
brought on primarily by people burning greater amounts of fossil fuels with cars, power plants, and factories. Burning
fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases, which are compounds that create a greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.
Even a slight increase in atmospheric temperatures can have drastic effects on our planet. For instance, scientists
theorize that storms, droughts, epidemics, and species extinction will intensify due to climate change. Seeing the full
consequences of climate change and global warming could take decades; nevertheless, this delay does not mean
humanity should remain complacent.
Recent changes in the Arctic region support the theory that climate change will have drastic effects. Unlike the
Antarctic, which is a continent landmass covered in ice, the Arctic consists of large glaciers and frozen ice sitting atop
the Arctic Ocean. As the Earth warms, this ice is melting at alarming rates. The Arctic ice mass has shrunken
considerably in the last century. This reduction in ice threatens the stability of the region. For example, polar bears
depend on the Arctic ice to live, breed, and hunt, so a loss of sea ice would most likely bring about the extinction of
the polar bear.
Whereas the frozen Arctic was once unnavigable, today, ships are able to pass through previously unreachable
areas in the Arctic. This has opened up access to resources, such as fossil fuels and valuable minerals, that were once
concealed beneath the depths of the Arctic ice. Sudden access to this resource rich region has ignited a political
showdown between nations that border the Arctic. Although no single nation has sovereign power over the Arctic,
countries such as Russia, Canada, the United States, and Norway are vying to claim these newfound resources. This
international competition was exemplified in 2007 when a small Russian submarine planted a Russian flag on the
Arctic seabed, a move meant to show Russia's dominance in the region. Other countries, however, have ignored this
move and have attempted to mark claims in the Arctic as well. Unfortunately, this access to Arctic resources has
caused international leaders to focus on obtaining those valuable resources rather than deal with the negative impacts
of climate change.
Ultimately, the melting Arctic ice reveals both the onset and the consequences of climate change. Although the
exposure of valuable resources due to climate change may seem like a positive event, people should not ignore the
broader and more perilous ramifications of climate change: The transformations to our planet brought on by climate
change will be irreversible and uncontrollable. For example, even if people stop producing greenhouse gases right
now, the Arctic region may never return to its original state. Thus, do we really want to leave a planet to our children
and grandchildren that may not be as hospitable as the one which we have been granted stewardship of?
1. Directions: Select all the correct answers.
According to the author, which of the following factors contribute to the complexity of climate change?
The melting Arctic ice has created competition for new resources.
International leaders have been slow to address the problem of climate change.
The extinction of species cannot be clearly traced to climate change.
The evidence of climate change has yet to be confirmed by scientists.
The consequences of climate change are not always seen immediately.
The effects of climate change can be reversed and corrected.
Toy inventors are always looking for new ideas to entertain children. However, not all toys were created with the purpose to entertain
children. For example, Play Doh started as a cleaning product. Noah and Joesph McVicker tried to sell the pliable material as wallpaper
cleaner. The non-toxic, soft substance was a great fit as a toy. After marketing the product as a toy, Joe McVicker became a millionaire
before the age of 27. The Slinky is another item that did not start as a toy. Richard James, a naval engineer, was trying to invent a way
to stabilize the instruments on ships so that they would remain accurate even when the ship was rocked by rough waves. He intended
to use tension springs to accomplish this task. He observed the strange movements of a spring on board a ship. It flipped over itself as
it fell. James repeated the falling motion several times. The spring continued to flip end over end. James showed his wife, Betty, this
entertaining spectacle. Right away Betty identified the coiled spring as a great toy for children. Betty named the toy Slinky. The couple
invested money and had 400 of the coils produced. After a demonstration at Gimbel’s department store in 1945, the 400 Slinkys were
sold. Millions of Slinkys have been sold to this day. It is impossible to know when the next great toy may be invented by accident.
2. The main idea of this passage is
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A. not all toys were created as toys.
B. the Slinky was invented by accident.
C. Play Doh was created as a cleaner.
D. toys are created to entertain children.
Hot dogs are tasty treats at a baseball game. However, most people wouldn’t think that hot dogs would serve as an aid in solving a
crime. In Bridgewater, New York, police suspect that three men used hot dogs to distract a homeowner’s dog while they burglarized the
home. The men took seven guns from the residency. The police found uncooked hot dogs all over the home. The hot dogs were traced
back to a local grocery store. The alleged burglars were seen on the store’s surveillance tape purchasing the hot dogs. The three men
on the security video are being charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and other crimes. The hot dogs may have
distracted the burglarized dog, but they also led police right to the highly suspected thieves.
3. This passage is mostly about
A. burglars using hot dogs to distract a dog.
B. a dog being too preoccupied to attack burglars.
C. police tracing hot dogs to the suspected burglars.
D. a grocery store helping the police solve crime.
Fascinating stories about monsters date back for centuries. Although there is a plethora of monsters out there, several monsters top
the list in popularity. One of the most well-known monsters is Big Foot, also called Sasquatch. Almost everyone in North America has
heard of Big Foot. Big Foot is said to be a tall, hairy, foul-smelling creature that resembles the cross between an ape and a man. Big
Foot is alleged to reside in North American forests. Eye witnesses across North America have reported an encounter with Big Foot. In
1967, a video shot in California showed a tall, hairy creature walking through a forest. The video is reputed to be a hoax, due to the
simple fact that no other proof of Big Foot has been found. No corpses or authentic footage of the creature have been substantiated
over the last 40 years.
Another notorious type of monster is the lake monster. There are several different lake monsters that have been reported by eye
witnesses. Perhaps, the most widely known lake monster is the Loch Ness Monster of Scotland. Over thirty years of research have
been conducted to prove the monster's existence. No conclusive evidence has been determined. Other lake monsters that have been
spotted by visitors are Champ and Ogopogo. Champ has been sited in Lake Champlain, which borders Vermont, New York, and
Canada. In 1981, a photograph of Champ appeared in the New York Times giving creditability to the story. However, in 2003, the
photograph was carefully examined and is now considered to be a floating log, instead of a lake monster. Ogopogo has been reported
to be living in Lake Okanagan in Canada.
The Kraken is another monster worthy of mention. The Kraken was known for attacking sailors and ships that dared to travel the
high seas. It was described as a giant monster with long tentacles covered with razor sharp teeth. Although the legends of the Kraken
destroying huge sailing vessels can't be proven, the creature itself is real. The colossal squid and giant squid have been discovered
and documented by scientists. The bodies of dead giant squid have washed up on the shores of New Zealand and Newfoundland. In
2004, a Japanese zoologist captured a 26 foot long squid on film approximately 3,000 feet below the sea's surface.
One other prominent monster is the vampire. Vampires are a continuous source of entertainment and intrigue. One of the most
popular vampire characters is Bram Stoker's Dracula, which was modeled after Vlad Tepes, a well-known Romanian, who lived over
100 hundred years ago. Today, vampire characters play major roles in books, movies, TV shows, and video games. Vampires are
famed to live off of the blood of living creatures. According to legend, a person can be changed into a vampire after being bitten by one.
These mythical creatures are also said to be immortal and to possess powers such as the ability to fly or change into a bat. Even
though there is not sufficient proof of the existence of vampires, some people claim to be vampires. These self-proclaimed vampires
follow a mysterious code. There is still no evidence of vampire powers or immortality.
Monsters have remained a captivating topic throughout history. Thousands of people have reported seeing a monster with their own
eyes. Stories have been written and told about different monsters for centuries. In modern day, valuable resources such as time, money
and technology have been used to seek out these creatures and prove their existence. Despite, such great efforts monsters, with the
exceptions of the giant squid and colossal squid, have eluded discovery.
4. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?
A. The Loch Ness monster is the most famous lake monster.
B. Ogopogo is a popular Canadian monster in Lake Okanagan.
C. The lake monster is a well-known type of monster.
D. Champ appeared in a photograph in the New York Times.
5. What is the main idea of paragraph 4?
A. Vampires live forever and have special powers.
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B. Vampires drink the blood of living beings.
C. Vampires are great characters for movies.
D. Vampires are a popular type of monster.
6. What is the main idea of paragraph 1?
A. Big Foot is also known as Sasquatch.
B. Big Foot lives in wooded areas.
C. Big Foot is a famous monster.
D. Big Foot is ape-like, tall, and hairy.
7. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?
A. The Kraken is actually a giant squid.
B. Giant squid have been captured on film.
C. Giant squid corpses have washed up on coasts.
D. The Kraken attacked ships and sailors.
8. What is the main idea of paragraph 5?
A. Monsters continue to capture people's interest.
B. Monsters are a great source of entertainment in stories.
C. Monsters can be discovered if people try hard enough.
D. Monsters have been seen by thousands of people.
9. What is this passage mostly about?
A. how monsters are something to be feared
B. how monsters are elusive creatures
C. how monsters have been sited world wide
D. how monsters are a source of fascination
Video game systems are very important to their owners. Gamers spend a lot of money on the game consoles and on games and
accessories that enhance the gaming experience. In December, a 21-year-old video game player flew from Connecticut where he is
attending school at Yale University to his home in Ohio. Along the way, his Xbox 360 with a specialized hard drive vanished from his
suitcase. The student said that the airline was not helpful in trying to recover the missing gaming system. He is suing the airline for
$1,700 for the lost gaming system. He is also suing for the maximum allowable damages, which is $1 million. According to a
spokeswoman for the airline, the government limits liability for lost luggage to $3,300 per bag.
10. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The airline is responsible for the missing game console.
B. The student will not receive $1 million for damages.
C. The student really values his specialized gaming system.
D. The airline will only pay $3,300 for the lost game console.
Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
-A
C
C
D
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5. D
6. C
7. A
8. A
9. D
10. C
Printable Worksheet
Explanations
1. In this passage, the author discusses the complexity resulting from climate change and global warming. The
effects of climate change in the Arctic region have both positive and negative outcomes. For instance, an oil
company would see the melting ice as positive because the disappearing ice is allowing companies to tap into
previously unreachable resources. However, an environmentalist would point out that the melting sea ice will lead
to negative outcomes, including the extinction of certain animals like the polar bear. The author argues that this
complexity makes the climate change issue opaque and difficult to plan for. For instance, the author states,
"Unfortunately, this access to Arctic resources has caused international leaders to focus on obtaining those valuable
resources rather than deal with the negative impacts of climate change." The author also states that the effects of
climate change are uncontrollable and irreversible. "For example, even if people stop producing greenhouse gases
right now, the Arctic region may never return to its original state."
2. The main idea of this passage is that not all toys were created for the purpose of entertaining children. The
paragraph gives details about the accidental inventions of Play Doh and the Slinky.
3. The passage is mostly about how the police used hot dogs found at the crime scene to track the suspected
criminals. The passage gives details about how the police traced the hot dogs to a local store and replayed
surveillance video to find out who purchased the hot dogs.
4. The main idea of paragraph two is that there are several notorious lake monsters. The paragraph gives details
about three different lake monsters that have been reported.
5. The main idea of paragraph 4 is that vampires are popular monsters. The paragraph gives details about how
vampires are repeatedly used as characters in books, movies, etc. The paragraph also tells that some people claim
to be vampires.
6. The main idea of paragraph 1 is that Big Foot is one of the most well-known monsters. The paragraph gives
details about the creature and tells that most people in North America know about Big Foot.
7. The main idea of paragraph 3 is that the Kraken is actually a giant squid. The paragraph gives details about
scientists finding conclusive evidence that the giant squid exists.
8. The main idea of paragraph 5 is that monsters are still fascinating to people after hundreds of years. The
paragraph tells about the claims people have made about seeing monsters. The paragraph also states that
monsters are used as entertainment. Also, the paragraph tells about the efforts people have made to prove that
monsters exist.
9. The passage is mostly about monsters being a source of fascination. The entire passage supports the idea that
people are intrigued by monsters. The passage gives details about several well-known monsters and how people
have tried to prove that they exist. The passage also states that movies, books, and other forms of media have
focused on one monster or another.
10. The main idea of the passage is that the student places a lot of value on his gaming system. The passage gives
details about an incident where a gaming system was taken out of the student's luggage while he was on a flight.
The passage also states that the student is suing the airline for $1,700 for the loss of the specialized gaming
system and $1 million dollars for damages.
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