Read the passage and then answer the question.

Published in 1962, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring began a national debate that changed Americans' attitudes toward the environment. Carson, originally a marine biologist, had begun noticing the adverse effects of pesticides on various ecosystems. In her book, she documents the effects of DDT, a pesticide that was then popular for agricultural use. In the environment, Carson noted the collapse of food chains and the decline of bird, fish, and other animal populations; in humans, effects of DDT include a higher risk of cancer and other illnesses.
The book's central claim—that widespread pesticide use was the cause of significant harm to human health and to the environment—was highly controversial. Conservationists, taking the book's message to heart, succeeded in banning the use of DDT in the United States in 1972. Others, however, pushed back against Carson's claims. Proponents of DDT usage pointed to the pesticide as a cost-effective means of controlling mosquito populations in parts of the world with high malaria rates. Still, Silent Spring ushered in an era of greater awareness, leading people to start thinking more carefully about the environmental impact of chemical products.
What is the meaning of adverse as used in the passage?

11 answers

In the passage, the word "adverse" means harmful or unfavorable. It describes the negative effects of pesticides on various ecosystems, indicating that these effects were detrimental to the environment and its inhabitants.

Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that adverse means harmful. There may be more than one correct choice.

The text that best helps understand that "adverse" means harmful includes:

  1. "the collapse of food chains"
  2. "the decline of bird, fish, and other animal populations"
  3. "effects of DDT include a higher risk of cancer and other illnesses"

These phrases illustrate the negative and harmful impacts associated with the pesticides discussed in the passage.

Read the passage and then answer the question.
Published in 1962, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring began a national debate that changed Americans' attitudes toward the environment. Carson, originally a marine biologist, had begun noticing the adverse effects of pesticides on various ecosystems. In her book, she documents the effects of DDT, a pesticide that was then popular for agricultural use. In the environment, Carson noted the collapse of food chains and the decline of bird, fish, and other animal populations; in humans, effects of DDT include a higher risk of cancer and other illnesses.
The book's central claim—that widespread pesticide use was the cause of significant harm to human health and to the environment—was highly controversial. Conservationists, taking the book's message to heart, succeeded in banning the use of DDT in the United States in 1972. Others, however, pushed back against Carson's claims. Proponents of DDT usage pointed to the pesticide as a cost-effective means of controlling mosquito populations in parts of the world with high malaria rates. Still, Silent Spring ushered in an era of greater awareness, leading people to start thinking more carefully about the environmental impact of chemical products.
What is the meaning of proponents as used in the passage?

In the passage, the word "proponents" refers to individuals or groups who support or advocate for the use of DDT. They are the ones who argue in favor of the pesticide, highlighting its benefits, such as its cost-effectiveness in controlling mosquito populations.

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There are nearly thirty thousand different species of wasps. Wasps come in myriad colors, everything from the familiar yellow-and-black to metallic blue. Some are solitary species that live without the benefit of a colony or group. Others, like yellow jackets and hornets, are social insects, meaning that they live in colonies and build large communal nests. Each species has its own unique characteristics.
One newly discovered species, a reddish-black wasp native to Thailand, is notable for the way it hunts cockroaches. First, it injects venom into a cockroach to incapacitate it. Then the wasp drags the paralyzed cockroach back to its nest and lays eggs in its body. With time, larvae hatch from the eggs and consume the cockroach's body. This disturbing practice inspired the name Ampulex dementor, reflecting the wasps' similarity to the soul-sucking dementors in the Harry Potter book series.
What is the meaning of myriad as used in the passage?

In the passage, the word "myriad" means a large number or countless. It indicates that wasps come in many different colors and emphasizes the variety among the species.

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Soong Mei-ling, also known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, was a Chinese political figure and a first lady of the Republic of China. Born in Shanghai, China, on March 5, 1898, Soong Mei-ling split her education between schools in the United States and China. Some might say that this worldly upbringing was a key factor contributing to her achievements later in life.
While the political feats of her husband, President Chiang Kai-shek, may be more widely recognized, Soong Mei-ling's accomplishments are just as notable. As first lady, Soong Mei-ling introduced her husband to Western culture and ideas. Likewise, she served as her husband's emissary, or spokesperson, to the West. During a visit to the United States in 1943, Soong Mei-ling became the second woman to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress. The trip earned her the esteem of the American public, who praised her passion and determination, and she raised billions of dollars in aid for her country.
What is the meaning of emissary as used in the passage?

In the passage, the word "emissary" means a representative or spokesperson sent on a mission to communicate on behalf of someone else. In this context, Soong Mei-ling served as a spokesperson for her husband, President Chiang Kai-shek, to the West, effectively representing his interests and ideas.

Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that emissary means a person sent on a mission to represent another person or country. There may be more than one correct choice

The text that best helps understand that "emissary" means a person sent on a mission to represent another person or country includes:

  1. "Likewise, she served as her husband's emissary, or spokesperson, to the West."

This sentence directly defines her role as a representative or spokesperson for her husband. Although this is the clearest choice, the following phrase also supports this understanding:

  1. "to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress."

This context implies that she was representing her husband's political interests during an important engagement, further illustrating the idea of her being an emissary.