Read the following excerpt from "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman:With no dredging, Central Park's ponds and reservoir have been reincarnated as marshes. Without natural grazers — unless horses used by hansom cabs and by park policemen managed to go feral and breed — Central Park's grass is gone. A maturing forest is in its place, radiating down former streets and invading empty foundations.Which best explains how the structure of this passage supports the author's purpose?A.The passage traces several events in the order that they will occur to highlight how people have harmed the environment in Central Park.B.The passage describes how the absence of human activity will change Central Park to show that nature will eventually destroy what people have built.C.The passage compares the Central Park from before and from during a posthuman world to underscore that pollution levels will remain the same.D.The passage shows the effects of human activity on Central Park to prove that laws protecting the environment are necessary for human survival.

Read this passage from "The City Without Us" by Alan Weisman:Within two centuries, estimates Brooklyn Botanical Garden vice president Steven Clemants, colonizing trees will have substantially replaced pioneer weeds. Gutters buried under tons of leaf litter provide new, fertile ground for native oaks and maples from city parks. Arriving black locust and autumn olive shrubs fix nitrogen, allowing sunflowers, bluestem, and white snakeroot to move in along with apple trees, their seeds expelled by proliferating birds.Which statement best explains how the structure of the passage supports the author's purpose?A.The passage traces the chronology of the biological succession of plants to highlight how an urban area will return to its natural state.B.The passage shows the effect of natural forces such as seed dispersal to highlight how plants become established in different areas.C.The passage traces the chronology of the biological succession of plants to predict that the city will become an oasis fit for human habitation.D.The passage lists the varieties of plant life to show the biodiversity of the city because of human intervention.

Read this excerpt from Alan Weisman's "The City Without Us":The mature beech-oak-ash-ailanthus forest will be mowed down [by glaciers]. The four giant mounds of entombed garbage at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island will be flattened, their vast accumulation of stubborn PVC plastic and of one of the most durable human creations of all—glass—ground to powder.Which claim does the excerpt most clearly support?A.The human impact on the environment is permanent.B.Nature acts swiftly to reclaim abandoned urban areas.C.Nature is ultimately more powerful than humans.D.Without humanity's presence, New York City would quickly deteriorate.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

When the forest canopy is removed, the moist soil is exposed to direct sunlight. This causes it to dry out. Without the root structures to hold the soil in place, the dried-out dirt is carried away by wind and rain. Eventually, what was once a lush forest becomes a barren desert.Which statement best describes how the structure enhances a reader's understanding of the passage?A.It traces the order of events that led to gradual deforestation of the Amazon.B.It appeals to a reader's emotions by creating an image of a lifeless desert.C.It examines the connection between cutting down trees and the environmental outcome.D.It uses a formal tone to highlight the serious nature of cutting down trees.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

[1] The fundamental goal of following Leave No Trace principles is to have your group leave an area the same or better than you found it. Public spaces, from National Parks to a city square, are set aside for all to enjoy and we must each do our part to protect them for the next person, animal and generation that comes along.[2] Denali was set aside over 100 years ago to protect wildlife, preserve history and provide for public enjoyment. Today you will find most of it is managed as federally protected Wilderness, a place preserved, "in contrast with those areas where man and his works dominate the landscape." As you travel through this unique landscape, be inspired and free, but remember the actions of few can impact the experience of many. Respect the plants and animals that call Denali home, and take responsibility for their continued protection by following the seven principles of Leave No Trace below. 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare[3] Denali's hazards include remote terrain, large wildlife, and unpredictable weather, making it essential to be properly prepared for both day trips and multi-day excursions. In addition to safety, being prepared can prevent you from impacting an area unintentionally.Do your research beforehand on what to expect in Denali.Ensure someone knows the plan for your trip and your return date. There is no cell phone service in most of the park.Bring what you need to keep yourself safe if there is a change in the weather or an emergency. Check out the safety advice lower on this page and recommended gear lists for day hikers and gear lists for overnight users.Know park rules and regulations for your activity. Federal lands allow for multiple activities and experiences, but not all are allowed in all areas. Respect the rights of other users.2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces[4] Denali has very few trails and no developed campsites off the park road, which makes low-impact travel different here than for most National Parks. Once you leave a formal trail, Denali strives to disperse people throughout the park to avoid everyone walking and camping in the same place.If you are on a formal trail, stay on the trail to concentrate your impact.If you leave a formal trail, attempt to travel, rest, and camp on the most durable surfaces available. Durable surfaces are areas free of vegetation such as rock, sand, gravel, or snow. Gravel bars and dry washes are great, durable trail corridors.When on vegetation, spread out to disperse your impact. Walk side by side rather than single file. If terrain or wildlife necessitates you bunch up, spread out again as soon as you can.If you are camping outside of a campground, do not stay more than two nights in the same spot to minimize your impact to that location. Camp on a durable surface and move your tent at least 1/2 mile to disperse your impacts. Avoid areas that show pre-existing disturbance from camping so they can recover.3. Dispose of Waste Properly[5] Improper disposal of trash and human waste can have negative impacts on both the experience and the health of visitors and wildlife.Pack out everything you take into the backcountry. This includes all food waste, garbage, and even biodegradable material such as banana peels and egg shells.Solid human waste should be buried 6 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, trails and camp. Ideally it is buried in deep organic soil. Pack out your toilet paper and sanitary products.Urinate away from drinking water sources and off formal trails.In certain areas of the park, Clean Mountain Cans (CMCs) are required for carrying out human waste.11Select the correct answer.Which is the best objective summary of the text? A. The goal of Leave No Trace principles is to leave an area the same or better than you found it. Denali protects wildlife, preserves history, and provides for public enjoyment. Denali is remote and has large wildlife and unpredictable weather, so it is important to be prepared for day trips as well as multi-day excursions. B. Denali Park is a unique landscape that is federally protected. It contrasts sharply with areas where man and his works dominate the landscape. People should feel like they can be inspired and free while traveling in Denali Park as long as they follow the important Leave No Trace principles. C. Public spaces, such as National Parks and city squares, are meant for our enjoyment, so we must do what we can to protect them. We should all follow Leave No Trace principles because everyone can plan ahead for their trip, travel and camp on areas free of vegetation, and throw away their trash properly. D. Leave No Trace principles encourage people to leave areas better than they found them. These principles are in effect at Denali Park, a remote area of federally-protected wilderness. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, and dispose of waste properly.

Read this passage from "The City Without Us" by Alan Weisman:In New York, the European starling—now a ubiquitous avian pest from Alaska to Mexico—was introduced because someone thought the city would be more cultured if Central Park were home to each bird mentioned in Shakespeare. Next came a Central Park garden with every plant in the Bard's plays, sown with the lyrical likes of primrose, wormwood, lark's heel, eglantine, and cowslip—everything short of Macbeth's Birnam Wood.What does Weisman's word choice most clearly suggest about his feelings on the introduction of new species of birds and plants to Central Park?A.He uses the word "ubiquitous" to show that the starling has become well known in the United States.B.He describes Central Park as "lyrical" and "cultured" to boast about New York's being a center of culture.C.He uses the words "pest" and "everything short of" to ridicule the introduction of the new species.D.He credits Shakespeare for inspiring the introduction of the new species to show his disdain for them.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS