Question

As James walked home from his Earth Club meeting at the Community Center, he thought about the topic of discussion that day. Tim, the president of the club, showed a video about how the bird population in the city is suffering because of pollution and the disease that is affecting some of the bird habitats. The group then discussed how they could possibly help with this issue.

While on his scenic walk through the neighborhood, he pondered the question, "How could he, a single person, help save the black–throated sparrow, or the burrowing owl?" There were so many birds, and he was just one person. As he passed the jungle gym on the right, he followed the bend in the sidewalk and noticed an object in a shrub out of the corner of his eye. He walked a bit closer and noticed that the object was a burrowing owl and it was clearly in trouble.

He knew that if he moved too quickly or acted too swiftly, he would scare the distressed bird, so he chose his actions carefully. After assessing the situation, he saw that the owl's legs were tangled in plastic mesh. He determined that if he could just hold down one side of the plastic that the owl could step out of its snarled mess. Methodically, he moved behind the owl and cautiously reached his hand near the owl's legs. Tensely, he pushed down on the end of the plastic. The owl panicked, but in his chaos, his legs came free. As he flew away, it seemed to James that he turned his head back as if to express his gratitude.


Write a conclusion paragraph that follows and reflects the first three paragraphs of the narrative.

Answer 1

James walked the last few blocks with the image of the freed owl burned into his mind, the doubt that had shadowed him since the meeting replaced by a small, steady confidence. He thought back to Tim's video and the questions he'd asked about being only one person, and realized that "only one person" had just been enough to untangle a life. The owl's quick turn of its head — as if to say thanks — felt like proof that action, however modest, reached farther than worry ever could. He promised himself he'd tell the Earth Club what he'd found, organize a neighborhood cleanup, and keep an eye out for other animals caught in danger; the problem was still big, but now it had a face, and a clear, practical place to begin. As the streetlights flickered on and the Community Center's sign came into view, James no longer felt powerless; he carried a new resolve to turn awareness into steady, neighborly work for the birds and the habitats they needed.