The situation is quickly growing dire for our world's rainforests. Every day, thousands of acres of rainforests are cut down for various industrial purposes. [*] This practice completely destroys the habitats of a large number of plant and animal species, many of which are rapids moving towards extinction. Even worse, the loss of the rainforest's trees poses a serious risk to the planet's overall well-being, due mainly to that fact that such trees are a vital source of oxygen and help to rid the atmosphere of harmful chemicals. Because the rainforest is also a key part of the water cycle, its destruction may well lead to widespread water shortages across the globe. Before conditions get any worse, we need to stop deforestation now and starting working towards reversing this dangerous trend.

Question

The situation is quickly growing dire for our world's rainforests. Every day, thousands of acres of rainforests are cut down for various industrial purposes. [*] This practice completely destroys the habitats of a large number of plant and animal species, many of which are rapids moving towards extinction. Even worse, the loss of the rainforest's trees poses a serious risk to the planet's overall well-being, due mainly to that fact that such trees are a vital source of oxygen and help to rid the atmosphere of harmful chemicals. Because the rainforest is also a key part of the water cycle, its destruction may well lead to widespread water shortages across the globe. Before conditions get any worse, we need to stop deforestation now and starting working towards reversing this dangerous trend.

At the point marked by an asterisk, the writer is considering adding the following statement:

The rainforest yields many goods and materials, including lumber, medicinal plants, and a wide variety of foods.

Should the writer make this addition at this point?
Responses
A No, because it is not supported by adequate evidence elsewhere in the paragraph.No, because it is not supported by adequate evidence elsewhere in the paragraph.
B Yes, because it adds important information about the rainforest to the paragraph.Yes, because it adds important information about the rainforest to the paragraph.
C Yes, because it provides additional information that supports the author's argument.Yes, because it provides additional information that supports the author's argument.
D No, because it distracts from the author's point about the dangers of deforestation.

Answer 1

D No, because it distracts from the author's point about the dangers of deforestation.

Adding information about the goods and materials that the rainforest yields may distract from the main point of the paragraph, which is to emphasize the negative impacts of deforestation on the environment and wildlife. It is important to stay focused on the urgency of stopping deforestation and reversing the trend, rather than providing additional details about the rainforest's resources.