Which sentence from the selection expresses the author’s opinion? A Imagine that scientists around the world have received a transmission from an alien planet telling us that spaceships were coming to Earth.

B Human beings, however, constantly threaten the balance of our planet, and not enough people are crying out for action.

C Scientists measuring air bubbles in ice cores dating 800,000 years old have determined that our air today contains far more CO2 than ever before.

D The extremely complicated interaction of temperature, atmosphere and forces of nature on earth create difficulty in stating simple truths.

In which sentence does the author attempt to stir emotion in the reader?

A Despite the opposition, experts agree that our world is changing and will continue to change if we don’t lessen our carbon dioxide output into the atmosphere.

B Global temperatures have risen dramatically, and with an increase of every 2°F, we’ll continue to see falling crop yields, heavier rains, bigger storms, water shortages in dry areas, and more wildfires.

C Doubters also cite scientific conspiracy, claiming that scientists will profit from distorting facts.

D The reasons for this difference are complex and stem from a small group of naysayers who have spread doubt about the existence of climate change.

The examples in paragraph 3 reinforce the author’s point that climate change —

A is an inevitable outcome of human existence

B is something everyone can agree on

C will drastically alter life as we know it

D is doubted by naysayers who have not done enough research

Which sentence from the selection expresses a fact?

A By the year 2100, average temperatures could rise by as much as 12 degrees.

B If we continue our environmentally irresponsible practices, the consequences will be great.

C When we burn coal or oil, we release carbon buried eons ago.

D Taking action now will give us a chance to save the planet we all call home.

Which words from paragraph 3 help the reader understand what disoriented means?

A convinced we will not be on Earth for too much longer

B working a vein about 1,200 feet below

C no sense of sound, of up, down, left, right, sideways

D horrifying burn spread through my guts

Through his experience of being trapped underground, the narrator gains —

A the ability to work on a team

B the acceptance of his crew

C respect for his long-held religion

D appreciation for his own mortality

What is the best summary of paragraphs 6 through 10?

A The narrator, after being found by men from his crew, got everyone organized into groups and led them to a source of water. They were all rescued within five hours of hearing the drill bit vibrating through the deep earth.

B The narrator and men from his crew organized themselves into groups to get tasks done. When they found water they knew they had a chance at survival, though they didn’t know what survival was worth underground.

C The narrator was found by men from his crew. They got organized and found water before being rescued. When he made it back to the top, the narrator was welcomed by the president of his country and his family.

D The narrator and his crew stayed alive long enough to be discovered and rescued. When they emerged from the tunnel, the president of their country was there to greet the men and their families.

Both selections explore ideas that involve the —

A consequences of human-caused impacts to the earth

B causes and potential effects of climate change

C human struggle to understand our own mortality

D possible negative outcomes of a warming planet

What is one consequence of climate change and copper mining?

A Both force people to think about mortality.

B Both threaten to warm the planet.

C Both are particularly risky for miners.

D Both pose threats to human beings.

Read this sentence from “Why Even Argue Climate Change?”
If we continue our environmentally irresponsible practices, the consequences will be great.

Which sentence from “Trapped Underground” is related to this idea?

A I had a backhoe to dig my way out, but I knew it would suck the oxygen out of the dumpster-sized box I was trapped in.

B This flailing, it is acceptance of what we all know will happen soon enough, only intensified by the thought, This is it, right now.

C We organized ourselves into crews who cleared fallen rock and scavenged the underground site for things that had fallen in with us.

D I had to forget the end, focus on the now, the next task, the thing that might buy me time or a way out, because if I gave into panic and did nothing, my brain would eat me up.

One difference between the selections “Why Even Argue Climate Change?” and “Trapped Underground” is that “Trapped Underground” —

A compares various types of natural resources that emit carbon dioxide

B approaches the topic from a more personal perspective

C expresses concerns about the sustainability of mining

D discusses the possible negative effects of mining for fossil fuels