TOEFL Question

Venus’s Runaway Greenhouse Effect

Earth and Venous are quite different atmospherically despite their relative proximity in our solar system. ■ A) The most striking difference is the atmospheric temperature on Venus. It is about five times the average temperature on Earth. ■ B) previous waste reduction efforts focused on specific groups-consumers or the government, for example-and their parts in solving the problem. However, a new theory called product stewardship instead looks toward cooperation between all groups involved in product’s life. ■ C) The theory suggests that environmental protection plans must be implemented at each stage of product’s life cycle: from its conception to its eventual disposal. ■ D)

 Product stewardship recognizes a manufacturer’s ability to reduce a product’s environmental impact in a number of ways. First, manufactures are rethinking the way in which they package their products. ● A) Thus, packing is increasingly being produced with recyclability and non-toxicity in mind. ● B) Manufacturers are also actively promoting recycling of their products using product labels. ● C) Some battery companies have implemented programs that are aimed at reducing a battery’s environmental impact. ● D)

 Many retailers are now participating in programs to reduce the impact of the products that they sell. Retailers are in an important position because they act as the mediators between manufactures and consumers. ◆ A) In addition, retailers can create their own recycling plans that allow consumers to more easily execute the recycling plans suggested by manufacturers. ◆ B) For example, some office supply retailers have instated recycling programs for used ink cartridges. ◆ C) These programs motivate consumers to bring back used cartridge in return for a small payment. Then, the cartridges are sent back to the printer company so they may be reused. ◆ D)

 While much of the government’s role has been to foster recycling, many programs have been created to allowa more direct role in environmental protection. One such program has been started in environmental protection. One such program has been started in some US states. It attempts to encourage the recycling of cans and bottles. In these states, consumers are charged a container deposit for each recyclable can or bottle they purchase. This fee is generally five or ten cents. Then, consumers can get this deposit back if they take the container to a recycling center.

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Implement: to set; to establish

Life cycle: the complete process of change and development during the useful life of something.

Toxicity: the degree to which a substance is poisonous

Mediator: a link between two people or groups

Execute: to put a plan into action

Instate: to establish

Foster: to encourage; to allow

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Q. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.Through these plans, a product’s environmental impact can be reduced. Where would the sentence best fit?

1. First square

2. Second square

3. Third square

4. Forth square

A. Third square