Pollution is a big problem in our world today. There are many types of pollution, and it affects things in different ways. One serious form is plastic pollution in the ocean. Waves and sunlight break bottles and bags into tiny fragments called microplastics. These pieces are small enough for plankton, shellfish, and small fish to swallow by accident. When larger predators eat those animals, the plastic travels up the food chain. Researchers have found fibers in the bellies of seabirds and traces of plastic in table salt. Plastic can also carry oily chemicals that stick to its surface. Those chemicals may build up in animal tissues over time. Communities near coastlines see the impact when nets snag on floating trash and fish stocks decline. Cleaning up is hard, because the fragments are scattered like confetti through the water. Focusing on reducing waste before it reaches the ocean is a practical step.

Which revision best improves the focus of the introduction?

Before mechanical refrigeration, people kept food from spoiling by salting, drying, smoking, and storing ice in insulated houses. These methods slowed decay but often changed the taste and texture of food. By the late 19th century, engineers built compressors that could remove heat from closed cabinets. Families could keep milk cold for days instead of hours, and grocers could transport meat over longer distances. Bacteria multiply more slowly at low temperatures. Cities saw fewer outbreaks of foodborne illness as chilled storage spread. Refrigerated rail cars and warehouses formed a cold chain, linking farms, ships, and stores. This system standardized temperatures and reduced waste. Farmers also gained new markets because produce could be shipped farther without rotting. Restaurants expanded menus with ingredients that had once been too risky to hold. Home cooks saved time by safely storing leftovers. In many ways, cooling reshaped daily routines as much as it reshaped commerce.

Which transition at the beginning of the sentence 'Cities saw fewer outbreaks of foodborne illness as chilled storage spread.' best connects it to the preceding sentence?

Community gardens are shared plots where neighbors grow food and flowers together. They turn vacant lots into places for learning and healthy eating. Garden coordinators post sign-up lists for watering, composting, and harvest days. Many gardens share tools among members. These gardens often have tools that members can share. With access to shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows, people who don't own equipment can still participate. Neighbors also share tips about planting schedules. Garden beds also become outdoor classrooms. A student might test soil with a kit and observe how adding compost changes plant growth over time. The garden rules encourage respect for different cultures by reserving space for plants that are important to each community. Some plots showcase herbs used in traditional cooking, while others highlight pollinator-friendly flowers. When harvest time comes, gardeners donate extra produce to a nearby pantry. These actions build connections and reduce food waste in a practical, visible way.

Which revision best combines the two sentences 'Many gardens share tools among members.' and 'These gardens often have tools that members can share.' to eliminate redundancy and improve concision?

Cities are often several degrees warmer than nearby rural areas, a pattern known as the urban heat island effect. Dark roofs and asphalt absorb sunlight, and closely spaced buildings trap heat. On hot days, this extra warmth can stress the heart and lungs, especially for older residents. Planting trees is a proven strategy to cool streets. A leafy canopy shades sidewalks and cars, and water evaporating from leaves removes heat from the air. Researchers have measured temperature drops on blocks with mature trees compared to bare ones. Careful planning matters: trees planted along bus stops, schoolyards, and apartment courtyards can help people who spend time outside during the hottest hours. Cities also coordinate with utilities so roots and branches do not interfere with lines. Shade can also lower energy demand by reducing air-conditioner use in nearby buildings. It costs money to water young trees and maintain them. But it's worth it because trees are cool and awesome.

Which revision of the final sentence best establishes a formal concluding statement that follows from the information presented?

Plastic in the ocean is a big problem for many reasons. This topic is important in many ways. Scientists use the term microplastics to describe fragments smaller than five millimeters that come from broken bottles and bags, clothing fibers, and industrial pellets. Once these particles enter seawater, currents spread them across coasts and into the open ocean. Plankton and small fish mistake the specks for food, and the particles can then move up the food web as predators eat prey. Researchers have found microplastics in shellfish, sea salt, and even in the air near beaches. Their health effects on humans are still being studied, but plastic can carry chemicals and bacteria on its surface. To track the problem, research teams tow fine nets, analyze samples with spectroscopy, and map concentrations in coastal zones. Governments and companies are also testing solutions, from banning microbeads to improving wastewater filtration. Clear information about where microplastics travel helps communities plan cleanup and prevention.

Which sentence would best replace the second sentence to sharpen the thesis and clearly preview the focus of the explanation?

Movable-type printing, first used widely in Europe in the 1400s, changed how information spread. Before presses, scribes copied books by hand, a slow and expensive process. Print shops could now produce multiple identical pages in a single day, and printers developed catalogs, title pages, and woodcut images to hold readers' attention. Printing presses lowered the cost of books. Literacy rates began to rise in cities where presses operated. Scholars exchanged pamphlets, merchants printed price lists, and civic leaders issued laws and notices more efficiently. The technology also standardized spelling and punctuation, which made texts easier to read across regions. While some authorities tried to censor controversial ideas, print still created a faster network for news. The result was not instant change, but a steady expansion of access: more people could learn to read, find practical information, and debate public issues. Today's digital platforms move messages even faster, but the basic principle remains: when information becomes cheaper to copy and share, societies reorganize around that possibility.

Which transition best begins the sentence "Literacy rates began to rise in cities where presses operated" to show cause-and-effect with the previous sentence?

During Lunar New Year, many families exchange small red envelopes containing money as a symbol of good wishes. The practice connects generations: elders give to children and young adults, and recipients often use the money to buy snacks or save for school supplies. In many places, the envelopes are decorated simply, and the act of giving matters more than the amount inside. The color red is important in this tradition, and the color red symbolizes luck and protection in many communities. Stories about a mythical beast frightened away by bright decorations explain why celebrations favor bold colors and loud drums. The envelopes are usually sealed and handed over with two hands to show respect. In some households, the gift is given after a shared meal to emphasize togetherness. While the custom varies by region, it consistently highlights generosity, gratitude, and hope for the coming year. Because it is practiced in homes, schools, and community events, the tradition remains visible across generations.

Which revision best eliminates unnecessary repetition while preserving the meaning of the underlined idea in the sentence about the color red?

Cities absorb heat because dark rooftops and pavement trap sunlight. One strategy to reduce this effect is the green roof: a layer of plants, soil, and drainage installed on top of buildings. Green roofs are organized into systems with waterproof membranes, lightweight growing media, and hardy vegetation that can tolerate wind and drought. The plants shade the roof surface and cool the air through evaporation, lowering indoor temperatures and reducing energy use. During storms, the soil acts like a sponge, holding back water that would otherwise rush into sewers. In dense neighborhoods, green roofs can also provide habitat for pollinators and small birds. Maintenance varies by design, but most systems require seasonal checks, weeding, and irrigation during long dry periods. Because the layers protect the roof membrane from sun and temperature swings, they can extend the life of the building's surface. Some cities offer tax credits or grants to encourage installation, and schools often use demonstration roofs to teach about climate and engineering. Green roofs are interesting.

Which concluding sentence best replaces the final sentence to follow from and support the information presented?

Light at night is a topic lots of people talk about, and it matters in many ways. Cities glow after sunset, and that glow does more than brighten sidewalks. Astronomers lose faint stars because skyglow reduces contrast, making telescopes less effective even miles from downtowns. Wildlife also changes behavior under constant brightness: hatchling sea turtles can crawl away from the ocean, migrating birds circle lit towers, and nocturnal insects cluster at lamps instead of pollinating. People feel effects too. Exposure to blue‑rich light late at night can disrupt circadian rhythms, which guide sleep and hormone release. Neighborhoods with intense lighting sometimes add more fixtures for safety, but poor design can create glare that actually makes it harder to see. Communities that install shielded fixtures, motion sensors, and warmer color temperatures keep light on the ground where it's needed and reduce wasted glow. Simple steps like dimming after closing hours can lower energy use while preserving dark skies.

Which revision best improves the focus of the introduction?

Cooling food is an old idea with modern reach. Long ago, communities cut winter ice and packed it in sawdust-lined icehouses so meat and milk stayed cooler in summer. Lower temperatures slow bacterial growth, which delays spoilage. In the 1800s and 1900s, inventors refined vapor-compression machines that pump heat from inside a container to the outside. ____ refrigerated trucks, containers, and warehouses now link farms, ships, and stores, creating a "cold chain" that keeps produce, fish, and vaccines within safe ranges for days. Sensors track temperature so handlers know when a shipment warms too much. Reliable refrigeration helps reduce food waste and illness, and it can lower costs by allowing seasonal harvests to reach distant markets. Still, refrigeration uses energy, so insulation, efficient motors, and careful route planning limit emissions.

Which transition best connects the historical methods to the modern cold chain in the underlined sentence?