Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the questions by selecting the correct/most appropriate options: Increased time constraints and the need for convenience in raising children appear to offset parents' concerns about the future when it comes to their carbon footprints, according to new research by University of Wyoming economists and a colleague in Sweden. UW's Jason Shogren and Linda Thunstrom, along with Jonas Nordstrom of the Lund University School of Economics and Management, have documented that two-adult households with children emit over 25 percent more carbon dioxide than two-adult households without children. Their research appears April 15 in PLOS One, a journal published by the Public Library of Science. "While having children makes people focus more on the future and, presumably, care more about the environment, our study suggests that parenthood does not cause people to become 'greener,'" Shogren and Thunstrom say. "In fact, the difference in CO2 emissions between parents and non-parents is substantial, and that's primarily because of increased transportation and food consumption changes." The study involved an analysis of expenditures on goods and services by households in Sweden. The researchers found that parents with children at home consume goods and services that emit CO2 in the areas of food, such as meat, and transportation, such as gasoline, at higher rates than childless households. The economists note that time constraints become more binding, and convenience may become more important when people have children." Parents may need to be in more places in one day," resulting in people driving themselves instead of using public transportation or bicycling, the researchers wrote. "They also need to feed more people. Eating more pre-prepared, red meat carbon-intensive meals may add convenience and save time."The disparity in the carbon footprints of Swedish households with and without children is particularly striking , as concerns about climate change are more pronounced in Sweden than most other developed countries. Most Swedes believe climate change is real and have accepted sizable CO2 taxes, and households with children are subsidized, which helps to alleviate some of the time crunches for parents. Sweden has generous parental leave and subsidized daycare, and parents have a legal right to reduced work hours. "If we're finding these results in Sweden, it's pretty safe to assume that the disparity in carbon footprints between parents and nonparents is even bigger in most other Western countries," Thunstrom says -- though she notes that Sweden also has one of the world's highest female labour participation rates, which may add to the time constraints of household with children. "Becoming a parent can transform a person -- he or she thinks more about the future and worries about future risks imposed on their children and progeny," Shogren says. "But, while having children might be transformational, our results suggest that parents' concerns about climate change do not cause them to be 'greener' than non-parent adults."
Choose the word which is most nearly the SIMILAR in meaning to the word ' Striking ' as highlighted in the passage.
Catchy
Understanding the Word 'Striking' in Context
The question asks to find the word most nearly similar in meaning to 'Striking' as used in the provided passage. To answer this, it is important to first understand the context in which the word 'striking' appears in the passage.
The relevant sentence from the passage is: "The disparity in the carbon footprints of Swedish households with and without children is particularly striking, as concerns about climate change are more pronounced in Sweden than most other developed countries."
In this sentence, 'striking' describes a 'disparity' (a great difference). When something is 'striking', it means it is very noticeable, remarkable, or impressive, often because it is unexpected or stands out. It draws attention to itself.
Analyzing the Options for 'Striking'
Let's examine each of the given options to determine which one is most similar in meaning to 'Striking' in this context:
- Catchy: This word describes something that is pleasing and easy to remember, or something that immediately attracts attention. For example, a "catchy tune" or a "catchy phrase." In the context of the passage, if a disparity is "striking," it means it strongly captures attention or is remarkably noticeable. Therefore, "catchy" aligns with the idea of something that grabs attention and is memorable or remarkable. While not a direct synonym for "remarkable" in all contexts, something "striking" is attention-grabbing, and something "catchy" is also attention-grabbing and memorable, making it a plausible fit given the options.
- Dull: This word means lacking interest or excitement, not bright or vivid. This is the opposite of 'striking', which implies something notable and attention-grabbing.
- Punishment: This word refers to a penalty inflicted for an offense or wrongdoing. It has no relation to the meaning of 'striking' as used in the passage.
- Shining: This word refers to emitting or reflecting light; gleaming. While something that shines might be noticeable, 'shining' does not convey the same sense of remarkable or surprising noticeability as 'striking' does in the passage's context.
- Spanking: This word refers to slapping on the buttocks as a form of punishment, or moving quickly. It is completely irrelevant to the meaning of 'striking' in this context.
Connecting 'Striking' with 'Catchy'
The word 'striking' in the passage conveys that the difference or disparity is very noticeable, remarkable, and perhaps surprising, making it stand out. When something is "striking," it makes an immediate impression and draws one's attention. Similarly, something "catchy" is designed to attract attention and be easily remembered. Therefore, 'Catchy' is the most appropriate option among the given choices that captures the essence of something being very noticeable or attention-grabbing, as implied by 'striking' in the passage.
Therefore, 'Catchy' is the word most nearly similar in meaning to 'Striking' in the given context.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
