II. READING

TASK 1. Read the passage. Circle the best answer A, B or C to each of the questions.

Carbon footprint is one of the main contributors to global warming. As mentioned in the media, members of the public are widely advised to reduce their carbon footprint and the specific steps to cut it down can be followed easily.

First, carbon dioxide is largely emitted from fossil fuel combustion in transportation, so people can shift away from petro used cars to eco-friendly vehicles running on electricity or clean ethanol. Driving less is another way to lessen a significant amount of exhaust fumes. It’s encouraged to ride electric bikes to work for short distances and take a train or a bus for long journeys. Second, lowering energy waste at home can make a big difference. Considering household appliances like lights or TVs, when they are not in use, homeowners should switch off them and better to remove their plugs from the sockets to save more energy. According to a report, homeowners can save between $100 and $200 each year by doing so. In addition, it’s wasteful to set your fridge and freezer temperatures lower than necessary, staying between 35° and 38°F to keep fresh food and 0 degrees for freezers. Last but not least, about 268 million tons of trash a year is produced by the U.S. Reducing energy consumption by recycling, therefore, can help slash greenhouse gas emissions substantially. Besides, shoppers should take reusable bags or canvas to the stores and avoid single-use containers.

In short, through these simple tips and concerted efforts, this environmental issue is no longer pressing.        

What is the passage mainly about?