This Landfill Is No Dump
1. There are hard sells, and then there are really hard sells. Anyone who has ever tried to build a landfill is probably keenly aware of this. People know that landfills are a disgusting, if necessary, evil and that they spread disease and pestilence throughout populated communities. People want them located as far from their homes and businesses as possible. They do not want trash blowing onto their properties, nor do they want to be downwind of putrid air that ruins their time outdoors.
2. For those in the trash disposal business, trying to open a new landfill site and fighting the legal battles that this often brings are par for the course. However, a trash disposal company south of Austin, Texas, has created a successful model for keeping everyone happy-from rural neighbors to local environmentalists. How did the owners of the company manage this? They chose to take themselves out of the fight. They are so committed to running a model business and being a good neighbor that, over time, opposition to their landfill has gone away completely.
3. Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) is a profitable business that operates a landfill, recycling/resale center, composting operation, conference center, and exotic animal farm in Creedmoor, Texas. Brothers and co-owners Bob and Jim Gregory set high expectations for themselves, and this has been key to their success. Although all solid waste management companies in a state are supposed to adhere to the same regulations, some companies try to get by with the least possible effort. Some companies put on a thin veneer of being good neighbors while they really focus on their own self-interests.
4. The Gregory brothers are different in this regard. For instance, they put their own facilities, notably a pavilion that hosts fund-raisers and dinners, downwind from the landfill's working face. Bob Gregory explains that showing people the reality of the operation is important. The owners would not ask a neighbor to put up with anything that they would not put up with themselves. They have prioritized controlling odors and picking up stray trash so successfully that the more than 10,000 people who visit the site annually are more aware of the pleasant views and clean, fresh air than the landfill nearby.
5. Two of the biggest challenges for waste disposal operations are odors and the trash itself. About 2,000 tons of trash is handled daily at the Creedmoor facility. The facility keeps the working part of the landfill as small as it can and also uses biofilters, recycle sprays, and other treatments to mitigate odors. The owners also built high fences to help prevent trash from blowing away. Furthermore, they have a street crew operating six days a week to patrol the area and catch any stray trash that makes it beyond the fences.
6. Searching for the right fences actually inspired the Gregory brothers to include exotic animals on the land. They did not want to use industrial chain-link fences around the property because they thought that would send the wrong message to the neighbors. The land would look forbidding rather than welcoming. The brothers wanted to find functional, but inviting, fences. As they shopped around, they saw a number of high fences on exotic animal farms and thought that maybe their neighbors would like the idea of animals on the land surrounding the landfill. The neighbors did, indeed, like the animals. Currently, hundreds of acres owned by TDS are home to more than two thousand native and exotic animals of eighty species.
7. TDS also reaches out to the community by allowing various charity groups to host fund-raisers on the pavilion. About 150 groups hold events each year, raising thousands of dollars per event. There are also two beautifully appointed cabins on the property designated for community use. In addition, TDS hosts its own outreach events, like hosting volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters on the ranch.
8. Moreover, TDS runs a drop-off center for items like grills, tools, bicycles condition and sells them at a garage sale, TDS also has a retail outlet for Compost products and sells topsoil, mulch, and compost produced an-site.
9. The Gregory brothers provide an example of how to run a profitable business to the needs of the community and is a great neighbor. One bonus of operating so well is that TDS can re-invest money into making improvements rather than fighting opposition in costly legal battles. Ultimately, TDS has shown that it owners mind doing business and are great neighbors, people are willing to welcome and fill in next door
Why does the author use the word 'Moreover' at the beginning of paragraph 8 emphasize in the article?
- A. the multiple groups that provide volunteers to help the brothers
- B. the extensive actions that the brothers take to meet the needs of the community
- C. the numerous charity events that the brothers host at their landfill
- D. the many decisions that the brothers made before opening their landfill
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Using "Moreover" at the beginning of paragraph 8 highlights the extensive actions taken by the brothers to address community needs, reinforcing the article's focus on their commitment and impact. Option A is incorrect because it emphasizes volunteer groups rather than the brothers' direct actions. Option C, while relevant, narrows the focus to charity events instead of the broader range of actions. Option D discusses decisions made before opening the landfill, which does not align with the emphasis on ongoing efforts to support the community. Thus, the use of "Moreover" effectively connects to the brothers' proactive measures.
Using "Moreover" at the beginning of paragraph 8 highlights the extensive actions taken by the brothers to address community needs, reinforcing the article's focus on their commitment and impact. Option A is incorrect because it emphasizes volunteer groups rather than the brothers' direct actions. Option C, while relevant, narrows the focus to charity events instead of the broader range of actions. Option D discusses decisions made before opening the landfill, which does not align with the emphasis on ongoing efforts to support the community. Thus, the use of "Moreover" effectively connects to the brothers' proactive measures.
Other Related Questions
What is the relationship between paragraphs 9 and 10?
- A. Paragraph 10 presents a solution to the problem raised in paragraph 9.
- B. Paragraph 10 explains the effect of the ideas in paragraph 9.
- C. Paragraph 10 adds supporting information to the ideas in paragraph 9.
- D. Paragraph 10 contradicts some information in paragraph 9.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Paragraph 10 provides additional details that reinforce the ideas presented in paragraph 9, enhancing the reader's understanding. This supporting information helps clarify and expand upon the concepts introduced earlier. Option A is incorrect as there is no explicit solution offered in paragraph 10. Option B misinterprets the relationship, as paragraph 10 does not focus on the effects but rather on supporting the ideas. Option D is also inaccurate; paragraph 10 does not contradict the information in paragraph 9, but rather complements it, maintaining coherence in the text.
Paragraph 10 provides additional details that reinforce the ideas presented in paragraph 9, enhancing the reader's understanding. This supporting information helps clarify and expand upon the concepts introduced earlier. Option A is incorrect as there is no explicit solution offered in paragraph 10. Option B misinterprets the relationship, as paragraph 10 does not focus on the effects but rather on supporting the ideas. Option D is also inaccurate; paragraph 10 does not contradict the information in paragraph 9, but rather complements it, maintaining coherence in the text.
With him she bravely threw off the British yoke, felt every pulsation of his heart for freedom, and inspired the glowing eloquence that maintained it through the century.' How would replacing the word 'yoke' with the word 'governance' affect the meaning of this sentence?
- A. it would add urgency for Americans to replace British laws with more republican ones
- B. it would strengthen the legitimacy of the American cause against the British.
- C. it would shift the blame for starting war from the British to the early Americans.
- D. it would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
The rooms were very grand. How would the meaning of this sentence be changed if the word 'grand' were replaced with 'large'?
- A. The sentence would describe the size of the room but not their magnificence.
- B. The sentence would provide information about the historical period in which these rooms were used.
- C. The sentence would offer insight into the particular decorations of the rooms but not the dimensions.
- D. The sentence would refer to the number of people the rooms would accommodate.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Replacing "grand" with "large" alters the focus of the description. "Grand" conveys a sense of magnificence, elegance, and impressive beauty, while "large" simply indicates size without any connotation of splendor. Thus, option A accurately reflects that the sentence shifts from describing both size and magnificence to solely addressing size. Option B incorrectly suggests a historical context, which isn't implied by either term. Option C misinterprets the focus on decorations rather than size. Option D mistakenly assumes a focus on capacity, which is not relevant to the original meaning about the rooms.
Replacing "grand" with "large" alters the focus of the description. "Grand" conveys a sense of magnificence, elegance, and impressive beauty, while "large" simply indicates size without any connotation of splendor. Thus, option A accurately reflects that the sentence shifts from describing both size and magnificence to solely addressing size. Option B incorrectly suggests a historical context, which isn't implied by either term. Option C misinterprets the focus on decorations rather than size. Option D mistakenly assumes a focus on capacity, which is not relevant to the original meaning about the rooms.
Which sentence from the blog supports Rodriguez's claim that the Equal Protection Clause was too narrow in scope when first adopted?
- A. The Court even confirmed its prejudicial position in 1875 when it upheld state laws that extended the right to vote only to men.'
- B. Clearly, the Court was relegating as women to a second-class status.'
- C. The 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, applied only to men.'
- D. This decision remained the law until ratification of the 19th Amendment, giving us women the right to vote, 45 years later.'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A highlights the Court's 1875 decision to uphold laws that restricted voting rights to men, illustrating how the Equal Protection Clause initially failed to encompass all citizens, particularly women. This directly supports Rodriguez's argument about the clause's narrow scope. Option B, while indicating the second-class status of women, does not specifically reference the Equal Protection Clause or its limitations. Option C states that the 14th Amendment applied only to men, but it lacks context about the Court's decisions and their implications. Option D discusses the timeline of women's voting rights but does not address the initial constraints of the Equal Protection Clause.
Option A highlights the Court's 1875 decision to uphold laws that restricted voting rights to men, illustrating how the Equal Protection Clause initially failed to encompass all citizens, particularly women. This directly supports Rodriguez's argument about the clause's narrow scope. Option B, while indicating the second-class status of women, does not specifically reference the Equal Protection Clause or its limitations. Option C states that the 14th Amendment applied only to men, but it lacks context about the Court's decisions and their implications. Option D discusses the timeline of women's voting rights but does not address the initial constraints of the Equal Protection Clause.