Read the passage.
There are two main reasons why people should buy hybrid automobiles. First, hybrid automobiles are good for the environment. Most standard vehicles burn two to three times as much gasoline as hybrid vehicles do to travel the same distance. This means that hybrid vehicles produce less air pollution than standard vehicles. Everyone needs to recycle their paper, bottles, and cans. Second, people who own hybrid automobiles spend much less money on gasoline than owners of standard vehicles. In some cases, people who drive hybrids save as much as $100 a month!
Which supporting sentence does not belong in this paragraph?
a First, hybrid automobiles are good for the environment.
b Everyone needs to recycle their paper, bottles, and cans.
c Most standard vehicles burn two to three times as much gasoline as hybrid vehicles do to travel the same distance.
d This means that hybrid vehicles produce less air pollution than standard vehicles.
b Everyone needs to recycle their paper, bottles, and cans.
b Everyone needs to recycle their paper, bottles, and cans.
The passage discusses two main reasons why people should buy hybrid automobiles: their environmental benefits and cost savings. The correct answer is b) Everyone needs to recycle their paper, bottles, and cans.
To determine this, we need to identify the sentences that support the main idea of the paragraph. Each sentence should contribute to explaining why hybrid automobiles are beneficial for the environment and save money on gasoline.
a) "First, hybrid automobiles are good for the environment." - This statement introduces the first reason and supports the main idea.
b) "Everyone needs to recycle their paper, bottles, and cans." - This statement is unrelated to the main idea of hybrid automobiles being good for the environment or saving money on gasoline. It is a sentence about recycling, which does not belong in this paragraph.
c) "Most standard vehicles burn two to three times as much gasoline as hybrid vehicles do to travel the same distance." - This sentence explains the difference in fuel efficiency between standard vehicles and hybrid vehicles, supporting the main idea.
d) "This means that hybrid vehicles produce less air pollution than standard vehicles." - This sentence further explains the environmental benefits of hybrid vehicles, demonstrating their relevance to the main idea.
Therefore, the supporting sentence that does not belong in the paragraph is b) "Everyone needs to recycle their paper, bottles, and cans."