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. (4 points)
Both passages discuss the impact of plastic waste on ocean creatures and the importance of taking action to preserve our oceans. However, the first passage focuses more on specific examples of sea animals being affected by plastic waste, such as fish and sea birds with stomachs filled with plastic. It also emphasizes the need for immediate action to address this issue. In contrast, the second passage provides more information on the scale of plastic pollution in our oceans, highlighting the significant amount of plastic that enters our oceans each year. It also mentions specific organizations dedicated to addressing this issue.
The first passage would be better for the student to use because it provides more vivid and relatable examples of the impact of plastic waste on marine life. By highlighting specific animals like sea turtles, whales, sharks, and dolphins, it helps the reader connect emotionally to the issue and understand the urgency of taking action. Additionally, the focus on individual actions, such as using less plastic and supporting conservation organizations, provides practical steps for how individuals can make a difference. Overall, the first passage is more engaging and compelling in its presentation of the issue of plastic waste in our oceans.