the text.

Question

Worldwide Loss of Bees a Growing Concern
By Alissa Fleck
When we think of bees, we think of pesky, buzzing insects that sting us and ruin outdoor gatherings. We might wonder: how badly can we possibly need bees? The truth is, bees are an incredibly important part of our ecosystem on Earth—no matter how annoying they may be to humans. Unfortunately, bees have been disappearing around the world for some time now, and their mass disappearance continues to present new problems around the planet.
According to Reuters news source, scientific researchers have been trying desperately for the past 15 years to understand why honeybees around the world are dying off at frighteningly high rates. Over 1 million bee colonies disappear every year, never to return, Reuters reporters noted in 2012.
Kevin Hackett, the national program leader for the bee and pollination program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), called the massive honey bee disappearance “the biggest general threat to our food supply.”
How could something so small be so important to us as humans? Bees are used to pollinate many crops, for instance a large portion of California’s almond crop, which relies heavily on bee pollination. Bees are also essential for the pollination of apple and citrus fruit crops. Without the pollination by bees, these plants are unable to reproduce and may die off.
The mass deaths of honeybees have been linked to something known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)—a mysterious loss of bee colonies with many potential causes—as well as a variety of pesticides, parasites and disease, all of which hurt bee populations. Other possible causes include land development and changes in agricultural practices around the world.
There are numerous kinds and species of bees, and honeybees are not the only ones disappearing in large quantities. Bumblebees can be added to the list of pollinators whose widespread disappearance worries scientists. While the dangers of losing bees, such as the damage to our food supplies, have long been known, researchers are uncovering even more distressing information about the loss of these ecologically crucial insects.
According to researchers who published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2013, the disappearance of bumblebees offers new cause for concern: certain plants are having difficulties reproducing with the loss of their bumblebee pollinators, and are at higher risk for extinction.
Two scientists, who conducted research on the impact of bumblebee loss on plant reproduction, found that when a particular species of bumblebee was removed from the pool of pollinators, other bees did not completely take over the pollinating duties. Instead, with less competition from the bees which had been removed from the pool, the remaining bumblebees flew between many different plants and were less likely to be faithful to one kind of plant.
The researchers noted this experiment had damaging effects. For instance, the larkspur, a purple wildflower, requires pollination from its own species—other larkspurs—to survive. The researchers found with fewer bumblebees, the remaining bees were “less faithful” to a particular plant, meaning the larkspur was unable to survive as it would have before the loss of bumblebees.
This particular study highlights the importance of bees to the continuation of, not just our food supply, but also all biodiversity, as the effects of this study do not end with the larkspur plant alone, but point to a much larger issue. The larkspur is just one example of this issue.
In 2012, the USDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a joint statement discussing the issue of bee loss, and the search for a solution to the cycle of problems caused by bees dying off.
The organizations concluded: “No single silver bullet will solve the problems affecting honey bees and other pollinators.”
In terms of solutions, the organizations proposed: “Habitat enhancement…targeted pesticide use, improved colony management techniques and improved disease and pest resistant stocks of bees are collectively needed to improve the health of honey bee colonies.”
“It is imperative that we increase honey bee survival both to make beekeeping profitable,” the statement noted, “but more importantly to meet the demands of U.S. agriculture for pollination and thus ensure of [sic] food security.”

Assignment Directions:
You have read an informational text. Write an essay analyzing how the author uses supporting details to develop two or more central ideas in the text. Be sure to:
Identify the central ideas in the text.
Explain how specific supporting details help develop and clarify each central idea.
Use textual evidence to support your analysis of how the supporting details contribute to the development of the ideas.
Organize your essay clearly, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Use transitions to connect your ideas and ensure your essay flows smoothly.
Scoring Criteria: Your response will be scored based on the following criteria:
how well you analyze the central ideas and their supporting details
how effectively you organize and structure your essay
the strength of your evidence and how well it supports your ideas
your use of language, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure
Writing Reminders:
Plan your response before you begin writing.
Write clearly and stay focused on answering the prompt.
Edit your response for grammar, punctuation, and clarity.

Checklist for Writing Success
Introduction
Have I clearly introduced my topic?
Did I include a strong controlling idea (thesis statement)?
Development
Did I use relevant facts, details, and/or quotes to support my topic?
Have I included my own thoughts and ideas along with evidence from the text?
Do I have at least 350 words?
*Check out how to display word count in Google Docs and Microsoft Word docs
Organization
Are my ideas logically organized?
Did I use transitions to connect ideas and make my writing flow smoothly?
Is my introduction clear, and do I have a conclusion that supports my ideas?
Language
Did I use precise vocabulary that strengthens my ideas?
Are my sentences varied and easy to understand?
Have I checked for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors?
Is my tone appropriate for my audience and topic?

Grading Rubric

Score
Development
Structure
Language
4
🔲 well-developed response with in-depth ideas
🔲clearly introduces topic with a focused controlling idea (thesis statement)
🔲 provides relevant facts, details, and quotes
🔲skillfully integrates original thinking with text evidence
🔲 clear and effective conclusion
🔲 strong organization that enhances the response
🔲 smooth flow between ideas
🔲 uses effective transitions to connect ideas
🔲 skillful use of precise vocabulary and varied sentence structures
🔲virtually no errors in usage and conventions
🔲voice and tone enhance the response
3
🔲 complete response that examines the topic
🔲 introduces the topic and maintains a clear controlling idea (thesis statement)
🔲 includes sufficient facts, details, and quotes
🔲 includes some original thinking with text evidence
🔲 conclusion supports the information presented
🔲 clear organization that supports the controlling idea (thesis statement)
🔲 transitions used to connect ideas
🔲 ideas are mostly well-connected
🔲 good use of vocabulary and sentence variety
🔲 few minor errors in usage and conventions that do not affect readability or interfere with meaning
🔲 maintains an appropriate tone
2
🔲 response attempts to examine the topic
🔲 introduces the topic but lacks clarity in the controlling idea (thesis statement)
🔲 includes some facts and details, but is repetitive or underdeveloped
🔲 limited original thinking, mostly relying on the text
🔲 conclusion is weak or unclear
🔲 organization is inconsistent or unclear
🔲 transitions are limited or ineffective
🔲 ideas may be disconnected or confusing
🔲 limited vocabulary use, with some confusing word choices
🔲 frequent errors in usage and conventions that may affect readability and interfere with meaning
🔲 inconsistent tone
1
🔲 response is very brief or lacks a clear focus
🔲 no clear controlling idea (thesis statement) or introduction
🔲 little to no relevant facts or text evidence
🔲 conclusion may be missing
🔲 lacks clear organization and structure
🔲 few or no transitions used
🔲 ideas are disorganized and unclear
🔲 vocabulary and sentences are unclear or confusing
🔲 major errors in usage and conventions that affect readability and interfere with meaning
🔲 tone is inappropriate or missing

Answer 1

The Critical Role of Bees in Our Ecosystem: An Analysis of Central Ideas and Supporting Details

In her article "Worldwide Loss of Bees a Growing Concern," Alissa Fleck highlights the alarming decline of bee populations worldwide, illustrating the profound consequences for agriculture and biodiversity. The central ideas of the text revolve around the significance of bees for pollination and the urgent need for solutions to combat their declining numbers. Fleck develops these themes through a wealth of supporting details, including statistics on bee population declines, expert opinions, and studies indicating the repercussions of bee loss on plant reproduction.

One of the primary central ideas presented in the article is the importance of bees in sustaining our food supply. Fleck emphasizes this point through specific data, stating that “over 1 million bee colonies disappear every year.” This statistic underscores the severity of the crisis and the potential ramifications for agriculture. By quoting Kevin Hackett from the USDA, who describes the loss of honeybees as “the biggest general threat to our food supply,” Fleck further reinforces the significance of bees in producing vital crops such as almonds, apples, and citrus fruits. These supporting details serve not only to clarify the central idea, but they also create a sense of urgency about the implications of bee declines on global food security.

Fleck’s article also touches upon the critical role of bees in maintaining biodiversity. In discussing the decline of bumblebees, Fleck highlights a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which reveals that certain plants are struggling to reproduce without their bumblebee pollinators. For example, she notes how the larkspur wildflower requires pollination from its own species to survive. The supporting detail that “with fewer bumblebees, the remaining bees were ‘less faithful’ to a particular plant” illustrates a broader ecological disruption that extends beyond just food crops. This reinforces the central idea that the loss of bees threatens not only food supplies but also the very fabric of our ecosystems, as it can lead to plant extinctions and reduce biodiversity overall.

Additionally, Fleck provides a crucial statement from the USDA and EPA, stating, “No single silver bullet will solve the problems affecting honey bees and other pollinators.” This quote acknowledges the complexity of the issue and supports the central idea that collaborative, multifaceted approaches are necessary to address the crisis. The proposed solutions, such as “habitat enhancement” and “targeted pesticide use,” serve as further supporting details that illustrate the path forward. These suggestions emphasize that the plight of bees is not an insurmountable challenge, but rather one that requires concerted action from various stakeholders.

In conclusion, Alissa Fleck’s article effectively conveys the dire situation of declining bee populations and their substantial impact on food systems and biodiversity. Through impactful statistics, expert quotes, and compelling research findings, she develops the central ideas surrounding the necessity of bees and the urgent need for action to address their loss. The comprehensive nature of her supporting details underscores the interconnectedness of ecological health and agricultural sustainability, presenting a compelling call to action for readers and policymakers alike. The path forward will require a collective effort to protect these vital pollinators for the sake of our planet's health and our future food security.