Question

tragic tally: more than 200 reported child drownings in pools and spas this summer
washington, dc – from memorial day through labor day 2013, at least 202 children between the ages of 1 and 14 drowned in a swimming pool or spa in the united states, according to media reports compiled by the usa swimming foundation. of those, 143 of the victims were children younger than age 5.
the latest media - reported figures are consistent with the u.s. consumer product safety commission’s (cpsc) annual submersion report, and show that young children and toddlers are especially vulnerable to drowning. drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children 1 to 4 years of age and it is the second leading cause of death for children from 5 to 14 years old.
“the time is now to turn the tide on child drownings,” said cpsc chairman inez tenenbaum. “in warm weather states and indoor swim parks, pools are still open. lets work together to prevent drownings by putting up barriers and having eyes - on supervision of children in and around the water.”
cpsc’s national pool safety campaign reinforces important safety steps: fence all pools, stay close to children in the water, be alert, and teach children how to swim.
questions 9 through 14 refer to these passages.
the two nonfiction passages give information and data about drownings in pools or spas.
which choice best states the main idea of the first passage?
states with warm weather are more dangerous for children than states with cold weather.
young children and toddlers are especially vulnerable to drowning.
parents and communities should be aware of child drownings and increase pool safety.
the pool safety campaign was launched in 2010 to raise awareness about pool safety

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: The passage does not compare warm - weather and cold - weather states in terms of danger to children, so this option is incorrect.
• Analyze Option 2: While the passage mentions that young children and toddlers are vulnerable, the main idea also includes the call for action (like pool safety measures) from parents and communities, so this option is too narrow.
• Analyze Option 3: The passage first presents the data on child drownings, then emphasizes the vulnerability of young children, and finally calls on parents and communities to be aware of child drownings and increase pool safety (through measures like fencing pools, supervision, etc.). This option captures the overall main idea.
• Analyze Option 4: The passage is mainly about child drownings and the need for pool safety, not just the launch of the Pool Safety campaign in 2010. The launch year is a minor detail, not the main idea.

Answer:

C. Parents and communities should be aware of child drownings and increase pool safety.