Read the excerpt from Silent Spring.

Yet every one of these disasters has actually happened somewhere, and many real communities have already suffered a substantial number of them. A grim specter has crept upon us almost unnoticed, and this imagined tragedy may easily become a stark reality we all shall know.

Which words and phrases from the excerpt best support the author’s purpose of creating a sense of alarm about the environment? Select four options.

these disasters
actually
happened
grim specter
almost unnoticed
tragedy
stark reality

1 answer

The four options that best support the author's purpose of creating a sense of alarm about the environment are:

  1. these disasters
  2. grim specter
  3. tragedy
  4. stark reality

These words and phrases convey a sense of seriousness and urgency regarding environmental issues.