Read paragraph 7. Discuss the structure of this paragraph, and analyze how the paragraph helps to develop the main ideas of the text. Analyze how specific sentences contribute to the meaning of the paragraph and the text as a whole. Use specific details from the text to support your response.

Paragraph 7 is structured as a comparison between two cases of pollution in different countries: China and Japan. It begins with a topic sentence that introduces the countries' efforts to address air pollution and describes their comparison as "particularly instructive." The paragraph then provides specific details about the measures taken in each country. It first discusses China's measures such as the reduction of coal consumption and stricter emission standards. These details emphasize the severity of China’s pollution problem and the steps they are taking to combat it. The paragraph then shifts to Japan's measures, including the use of advanced technology to limit pollution and the success they have achieved. Specifically, it mentions Japan's commitment to clean energy and electric vehicles. These sentences highlight Japan's effective approach to pollution control.

Overall, the paragraph helps develop the main ideas of the text by illustrating different approaches to tackling air pollution. It shows the contrasting efforts of China and Japan, with China being in the early stages of addressing the issue and Japan being more advanced in adopting innovative solutions. This juxtaposition highlights the importance of taking strong measures to curb pollution and indicates that progress can be made with effective strategies. The specific sentences in this paragraph contribute to the overall meaning of the text by providing concrete examples of the efforts made by each country and emphasizing the significance of these efforts in combating air pollution.