Passage 16

Harvard University

Harvard College was established in 1636. Harvard is America’s oldest institution of higher learning, founded 140 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The University has grown from nine students with a single master to an enrollment of more than 18,000 degree candidates, including undergraduates and students in 10 principal academic units. An additional 13,000 students are enrolled in one or more courses in the Harvard Extension School. Over 14,000 people work at Harvard, including more than 2,000 faculties. There are also 7,000 faculty appointments in affiliated teaching hospitals. Our mission, to advance new ideas and promote enduring knowledge, has kept the University young. We strive to create an academic environment in which outstanding students and scholars from around the world are continually challenged and inspired to do their best possible work. It is Harvard’s collective efforts that make this university such a vibrant place to live, to learn, to work, and to explore. (155 words)

Passage 17

Organic Coffee

Today many agricultural products are grown using organic methods and coffee is no exception. Organic products have a very minimal effect on the environment because there is no use of pesticides and fertilizers. All organic produces are certified to ensure that their products are grown in such a way. Organic coffee is a multimillion dollar industry and each year the sales of this coffee are increasing. Exports of organic coffee are up in most of Europe and North America. Organic coffee is usually grown is many countries such as Africa, Asia and South America. All over the world people have become organic coffee drinkers, but Americans consume the majority of it. All organic coffee products in the USA are certified for quality. The organic coffee is produced in a very specific way and all operators are at random inspected to ensure that they meet US Department of Agriculture standards. (149 words)

Passage 18

White Pollution

White pollution refers to plastic pollution. It is a new member of pollution family, but it grows fast. Unrecyclable plastic lunch boxes line along railroads. Plastic shopping bags dance in the wind. When leaders are buys mapping out blueprints for the future, one color “WHITE” from white pollution becomes their headache. Everything in the life circle deserves its place on earth. If we continue using plastic lunch boxes, shopping bags and other unrecyclable plastic products, what would happen? One day they might bury us in an ocean of white rubbish. Then the earth, our common home, would be a dustbin. To prevent this nightmare form coming true, governments need to work closely with each other and back up their verbal commitment by actions. However, it is not enough only to ask what governments can do to get rid of white pollution. We must ask ourselves what we as individuals can do to color the earth green instead of white. (159 words)

Passage 19

Environmentally Friendly Cars

Environmentally friendly cars are supposed to b e the vehicles of future generations. Nevertheless, such cars exist now and are becoming more popular in the modern car market than traditional vehicles which work on fossil fuels. The advantages of such cars are not only in their lower harmfulness for the environment and people’s health but also in the lower fuel costs. However, their production is rather expensive, so it is still a controversial point both for the customers and the automobile manufacturers. Although they are more expensive to buy, they pay for themselves in a period of about 5 years because they consume less expensive fuels. The common types of environmentally friendly cars include electric cars, fuel-cell-powered cars, crossbreed cars and solar cars. And environmentally friendly cars have become the choice of many people who decided to reduce the influence of burning fossil fuels on the nature. (146 words)

Passage 20

Overpopulation

Overpopulation is the condition where the number of organisms exceeds the carrying capacity of their habitat. We are facing the effects of overpopulation in our daily lives. Overpopulation has affected the life of common man and has proved to be one of the most serious difficulties that have to be fought. Overpopulation implies a shortage of resources and economic inflation. Living through the negative effects of overpopulation has made us realize serious problems associated with it. It is high time we waken up and found the causes of overpopulation and worked on them. Generally, the causes of overpopulation include decline in the death rate, rise in the birth rate, migration and lake of education. Not every nation is capable of providing its people with the adequate amount of resources. The ever-increasing population will eventually fail to provide its people with the resources they need to thrive. When the environment fails to accommodate the living beings that inhabit it, overpopulation becomes a disaster. (160 words)

Passage 21

The Bottle Water

The bottled water used can be sourced from public water sources, and the purity and safety depend largely on the regulation of quality adopted within a country. The regulation conducted and recorded ensures that the bottled water’s quality is sale. The label on the bottled water container or bottle accurately reflects bottle contents, or at least it is expected to. In many developing and under-developed nations, these standards are variable. This makes the safety of the bottled water controversial. There is no doubt about the convenience of bottled water relative to boiling. However, bottled water may provide a possibility to unsafe drinking water only for those who can afford it. The sales of bottled water have surpassed the sales of all other drinks, expect some soft drinks. And the bottled water companies make a good money even though the popularity of bottled water has been criticized by environmentalist, economists and care-takers and –givers. (151 words)

Passage 22

Online Education

Online education, or distance learning, has really taken on a life of its own in the past few years. With the availability of the Internet, it is becoming easier and easier to join one of the approved online colleges and to get your degree online. These colleges are spread out all over the world. If you are truly getting your education online, then you don’t have to be in the same city as if you were getting your degree locally. You simply log into the classroom every day to get your assignments, then you upload them in order to get your grade. There isn’t even a need to meet the teachers or other students and you can do it at any time of the day. Therefore, it won’t interfere with your work schedule or your life in general. And the great news is that employers are recognizing more and more that an online education is a great way to go. (160 words)

Passage 23

Red Wolves

Red wolves present a characteristic red colored fur which is more obvious behind the ears and in the neck and legs. Other than these parts, the fur color of red wolves is brown with black shading in the back and tail. Their big ears help them overcome hot and humid climatic conditions. The average size of red wolves is 4 feet in length, 20 inches tall and weight about 45 to 80 pounds. Generally, red wolves attain sexual maturity at the age of 22 months; however, there are some species that attain within 10 months. The breeding season of red wolves is during February and March and their pregnancy period is about 2 months. Females give birth to about 1 to 10 children one time around March to April. The newly borns usually stay with their parents about two years, after which, they spread around the wild. The lifespan of red wolves is around 7 or 8 years in the wild and about 15 years in captivity. (160 words)

Passage 24

The Earth Day

Our Planet Earth has so much to give us. Form the beautiful natural surroundings to the rich types of creatures, Planet Earth has loads of things to offer that only make the life more beautiful. However, have you given a thought to how many individuals actually respect this planet? April 22nd is known the world over as Earth Day. It is celebrated to create more awareness about our planet and situations that we need to take care of to ensure our Planet Earth is well loved and cared for. As thins are, we need to celebrate it on one day to remind us of the responsibilities we need to handle in the coming years. The importance of Planet Earth is something that should be taught to children in their early years, at home and in the school. Only then will the young and old alike, understand the issues such as global warming, energy conversation and the importance of recycling. (159 words)

Passage 25

Car Alarm System

Car alarm systems are basic ways to keep thieves away. The first car alarm system was designed in 1896. Nowadays every car is fitted with advanced electronic sound alarm system. Though car alarm systems do not always stop the theft from happening but they do create trouble, which act as alarms for both the owner of the car and the thief. There have been innumerable cases when in spite of the car alarm system being there, the vehicle has been stolen, because at times the car alarm system fails to understand what exactly is a car theft. Experts are of the opinion that nowadays thefts occur in spite of the alarm system being there because nobody bothers much about it. People do not pay attention because alarm systems sound even then there is a strong wind or a pet trying to interfere with the vehicle. Moreover, thieves are designing newer ways to make new technologies that are being used failed. (160 words)

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