Question

read the following original passage, \the impact of plastic straws on ocean pollution\ and answer the questions.
every day, over 500 million plastic straws are used in the united states alone. these seemingly insignificant items contribute to the growing problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. once discarded, plastic straws often end up in waterways, harming marine life and polluting ecosystems. according to the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (noaa), plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, and in the meantime, it breaks into smaller particles that can be ingested by sea creatures. by switching to reusable straws or eliminating their use altogether, individuals can reduce their contribution to this environmental crisis.
according to the passage, how long does plastic take to decompose?
a. decades
b. hundreds of years
c. several weeks
d. a few months
what is the main environmental issue addressed in the passage?
a. deforestation
b. plastic pollution
c. water shortages
d. air pollution
which organization is cited in the passage for providing information about plastic decomposition?
a. united nations (un)
b. world wildlife fund (wwf)
c. environmental protection agency (epa)
d. national oceanic and atmospheric administration (noaa)
what type of evidence shows patterns?
a. statistics
b. research papers
c. historical facts
d. expert quotes
what characterizes objective writing?
a. unbiased facts
b. personal views
c. emotional appeals
d. casual language
what supports complex claims?
a. expert views
b. simple data

Explanation:

• For the first question, the passage clearly states "plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose".
• For the second question, the passage focuses on the problem of plastic pollution in oceans caused by plastic straws.
• For the third question, the text mentions "According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)".
• For the fourth question, statistics are used to show patterns (e.g., "over 500 million plastic straws are used...").
• For the fifth question, objective writing is characterized by unbiased facts.
• For the sixth question, expert views (like the NOAA's information) can support complex claims.

Answer:

1. b. Hundreds of years
2. b. Plastic pollution
3. d. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
4. a. Statistics
5. a. Unbiased facts
6. a. Expert views