Question

read the passage.

monaco is the worlds second smallest nation, with an area of just over two square kilometers. to contend with its limited habitable space, the country added almost fifteen acres to its land mass with the mareterra district. this project was built on artificial land that extends into the mediterranean sea. it offers not only housing but a promenade, cycle paths, a park, and a marina. to build the district, concrete chambers were built in the seawater and then filled with sand to form a base for further construction.

some previous reclaimed land projects were criticized or halted in monaco due to environmental concerns. the project planners of mareterra, however, chose goals that aligned with the health of local ecosystems. for example, artificial habitats for marine life were constructed, and protections were put into place to protect species in the area. to facilitate sustainability, the district includes over an acre of solar panels; these renewable energy sources help with heating and cooling. the area was designed for walkability, and throughout the district, outdoor areas and green spaces complement its structures.

which statement best summarizes the central ideas of the passage?

despite the success of its land reclamation projects, such as mareterra, monaco still has the second smallest land mass in the world.

because mareterra was constructed on sand - filled concrete chambers that serve as a foundation, there was too little space for parks or greenery.

after monacos mareterra project was halted because of environmental concerns, the country has struggled to fulfill the promise of additional housing for residents.

developed with eco - friendly construction practices and green living designs, the mareterra district increased monacos livable acreage.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The passage focuses on the Mareterra project's details, not just Monaco's land mass ranking. Eliminate.
2. Analyze Option 2: The passage says the district has parks and green spaces, so this is incorrect. Eliminate.
3. Analyze Option 3: The passage states the Mareterra project planners aligned with ecosystem health, not that it was halted. Eliminate.
4. Analyze Option 4: The passage explains Mareterra added land (increased livable acreage) and used eco - friendly practices (artificial habitats, solar panels, green spaces). This matches.

Answer:

D. Developed with eco - friendly construction practices and green living designs, the Mareterra district increased Monaco's livable acreage.