Understanding the Passage and Blank 1

The passage discusses why people often fail to communicate effectively about climate change. It points out that one reason is presenting it as something distant or "out there" instead of connecting it to everyday life. The sentence with blank 1 is central to suggesting what *should* be done differently.

The sentence is: "We (1)______ to make it clear (2)______ it’s linked to (3)______ daily decisions, such as walking (4)______ driving, and not talk about it in (5)______ of abstractions."

We need to choose the word that best fits the structure "We ______ to make it clear". This structure usually implies necessity, requirement, or a suggested action.

Analyzing Options for Blank 1

Let's look at the provided options for blank number 1:

1. keep
2. use
3. know
4. need

We will evaluate each option in the context of the sentence:

• keep: If we insert "keep", the sentence becomes "We keep to make it clear...". "Keep to" usually means to adhere to something (like a promise) or continue doing something. Neither meaning fits grammatically or contextually here. We are discussing a failure ("fail to talk convincingly") and suggesting a change in approach, not continuing an existing action or adhering to a rule.
• use: If we insert "use", the sentence becomes "We use to make it clear...". "Use to" indicates a past habit that no longer occurs. This doesn't fit the context, which is about a current failing and a suggested current or future course of action. The passage isn't saying we *used* to make it clear but stopped; it's saying we *fail* to make it clear now.
• know: If we insert "know", the sentence becomes "We know to make it clear...". This implies that we are aware of *how* to make it clear. While we might know *how* intellectually, the passage highlights a failure to *do* it effectively. The context suggests a required action or a missing element in our current communication approach, not just a lack of knowledge about the method.
• need: If we insert "need", the sentence becomes "We need to make it clear...". This structure "need to do something" expresses necessity or requirement. This fits the context perfectly. The passage argues that because we fail to connect climate change to daily life, we *need* to change our approach and make that connection clear. This suggests the necessary step to overcome the communication failure mentioned earlier.

Determining the Most Appropriate Option

Based on the analysis, the word "need" is the most appropriate choice for blank number 1. It correctly conveys that making the link between climate change and daily decisions clear is a necessary action required to talk convincingly about the issue, addressing the failure mentioned at the start of the passage.

Revision Table: Understanding Context Clues

Additional Information: Discussing Climate Change Effectively

Effectively discussing climate change involves more than just presenting scientific facts. It requires making the issue relevant and relatable to people's lives. Here are some key strategies:

• Connect to Local Impacts: Discuss how climate change affects their specific region (e.g., local weather patterns, agriculture, water resources).
• Highlight Daily Decisions: Link actions like transportation choices, energy consumption, and waste disposal to the larger issue.
• Focus on Solutions: Instead of just highlighting problems, discuss positive steps individuals, communities, and governments can take.
• Use Clear Language: Avoid jargon and abstract scientific terms where possible.
• Emphasize Shared Values: Frame climate action in terms of health, economic opportunity, community well-being, or future generations.

The passage correctly identifies that a key missing element in current communication is making the link clear between climate change and everyday "daily decisions".