Question

Read the excerpt from Silent Spring.

In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, a white granular powder still showed a few patches; some weeks before it had fallen like snow upon the roofs and the lawns, the fields and streams.

Which best explains how the phrase “white granular powder” supports the author’s purpose of calling attention to the environment?

The powder is an unnatural substance.
The powder has a texture like sugar.
The powder looks like freshly fallen snow.
The powder is used in house construction.

Answer 1

Answer: A

Step-by-step explanation:

did the test and got it right :) heheheheh

Answer 2

The option which best explains how the phrase "white granular powder" supports the author's purpose of calling attention to the environment is:

A. the powder is an unnatural substance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964) was a marine biologist and author born in Pennsylvania. In her book "Silent Spring", Carson discusses the harm human beings have been causing to the environment.

The white granular powder mentioned in the passage is pesticide. It is an unnatural substance which is harmful not only for insects but also for the environment in general, including humans. By describing it as a white granular powder, Carson's purpose is to show it is an unnatural substance. Even though it fell "like snow", it is not snow. It is not like anything that truly exists in nature. White granular powder does not fall from the sky at all, unless made by humans, which is the case here.