Question

course test - english 3
i think its high time we start charging people for destroying the environment, and plastic bags are a good place to begin. grocery stores should start charging 10 cents every time a customer requests a plastic bag. maybe then people will get on the bandwagon and start bringing their own bag. everybody knows that plastic takes forever to degrade and gives off toxic byproducts in the process. we simply cant go on producing plastic bags in such quantity and dumping them in the landfill. \convenience\ has to start taking a backseat to caring for the planet.
sadly, the united states is miles behind in this regard. ireland, for example, has charged people for plastic bags for nearly a decade. paris, france, has also begun charging for non - biodegradable bags, and have 50 other countries, but this brilliant idea has not caught hold here in the usa. even liberal san francisco couldnt get such a program off the ground. one of the biggest polluters, dog owners, have not even been asked to start taking a backseat to caring for the planet.
the fact is, the united states uses a huge shot of the worlds resources and is one of the biggest polluters. worst of all, were so addicted to convenience that we cant be bothered to even reuse paper or plastic bags. that addiction will cost us dearly in the form of a toxic environment for our kids and grandkids. when you think of it that way, is keeping a cloth bag in the car for grocery trips really too much to ask?

1. which sentence could be added to the second paragraph to lend support to the authors views?

a. as a result, ireland has reduced usage of the bags by a whopping 90 percent.
b. some plastic bag manufacturers are starting to look at nontoxic alternatives.
c. europeans tend to do their marketing in small local shops rather than supermarkets.
d. plastic bags of course are useful for storing produce and other items.

Explanation:

The second - paragraph argues for charging for plastic bags to reduce their use and protect the environment. Option A shows a successful example (Ireland reducing plastic bag usage by 90 percent) which supports the author's view. Option B is about manufacturers looking at alternatives, not directly supporting the charging idea. Option C is about shopping locations in Europe, not related to the charging concept. Option D emphasizes the usefulness of plastic bags, which goes against the author's view.

Answer:

A. As a result, Ireland has reduced usage of the bags by a whopping 90 percent.