Use the two passages to answer the question.

Question

Use the two passages to answer the question.

Have you ever seen a sea turtle, whale, shark, or dolphin? Even if you have only seen pictures online, you can see how cute all of these creatures are. Well, they are in danger. So many of them are killed every year because of plastic waste. From people throwing away single-use water bottles to companies using a ton of plastic to make their products, we can all do better. Scientists are finding creatures like fish and sea birds with their stomachs filled with indigestible plastic. We have to change this, starting today!
Oceans cover 71 percent of Earth’s surface, and they are where most of Earth’s water comes from. Because of this, they are one of our greatest natural resources. Unfortunately, around 8 million metric tons of plastic enters our oceans each year. We all need to do more to save our oceans from this type of pollution. Fortunately, there are groups like the Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, and the Lonely Whale Foundation. They are all dedicated to helping this issue.
A student is researching the impact of plastic waste. Write a paragraph that compares and contrasts the two passages. Explain which passage would be better for the student to use and why.

Answer 1

Both passages discuss the impact of plastic waste on our oceans and the animals that inhabit them. However, Passage 1 focuses more on the emotional appeal, highlighting the cuteness of marine animals and urging readers to “do better” to save them. In contrast, Passage 2 provides more statistical information and presents plastic pollution as a threat to a valuable natural resource. It also mentions specific organizations that are working to combat the issue. Overall, Passage 2 would be a better source for the student to use, as it provides more concrete information and resources for further research. However, the emotional appeal in Passage 1 could be useful in engaging the reader and inspiring action.