Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: Few of man's activities…
2023
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Few of man's activities have zero environmental effect. For centuries, societies have suffered a wide variety of environmental damage, not least in terms of the air pollution that primitive, uncontrolled methods of combustion caused. People of Roman Britain, with fires in their huts, found the smoke a hazard to health and examination of human skulls shows a pitting that indicates a high frequency of sinusitis. The UK was the first country to widely experience massive industrial development based on coal. Between 1580 and 1680, imports of coal to London increased from 20,000 tonnes a year to 360,000 tonnes and London became a city of 'great stinking fogs'. These were only really to disappear some years after the episode in December 1952 when cold temperatures and moist air resulted in the condensation of moisture on particles in the air from coal combustion. Over a radius of 20 miles the resulting fog rendered the atmosphere opaque and it was found that in the week ending 13 December 1952 there had been an excess of 2851 over the usual weekly number of deaths. In response the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 dealt mainly with smoke in cities. Two decades after the smog disaster the Control of Pollution Act (1974) was brought in and systematically began the long haul towards comprehensive improvements in air quality as part of overall environmental protection. Similar experiences were encountered across Europe and North America during the 20th century.
The Control of Pollution Act
A. Was brought in almost 20 years after the Clean Air Act of 1956
B. Stopped all industrial activity.
C. Aimed at improving air quality
D. Focused mainly on dealing with smoke in cities
E. Focused on environmental protection.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: C. A, C and E Only — ConceptIn statement-combination reading comprehension, each statement must be tested against the passage’s exact wording and attribution. A claim belongs to…
- A.
A and E Only
- B.
B, C and D Only
- C.
A, C and E Only
- D.
A, B, C and D Only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In statement-combination reading comprehension, each statement must be tested against the passage’s exact wording and attribution. A claim belongs to the named law only when the passage attaches that action, purpose, or date to it; a nearby sentence about another law cannot be transferred.
Application
Statement | Passage evidence | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
A | The Act is dated 1974, which is 18 years after the Clean Air Act of 1956—almost 20 years. | Supported |
B | The passage does not say that the Act stopped all industrial activity. | Not supported |
C | It began a systematic move toward comprehensive improvements in air quality. | Supported |
D | Dealing mainly with smoke in cities is attributed to the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968, not to the 1974 Act. | Not supported |
E | The air-quality improvements are described as part of overall environmental protection. | Supported |
Cross-check and contrast
A and E Only leaves out statement C, which the passage directly supports.
B, C and D Only includes B and D, whose actions are not attributed to the 1974 Act.
A, B, C and D Only includes B and D and leaves out E.
The supported statements are A, C and E. Therefore, the answer is A, C and E Only.