Practice Using Contractions and Apostrophes

Practice Using Contractions and Apostrophes This exercise will give you practice in applying the first principle introduced in Using Apostrophes Correctly: Use an apostrophe to show the omission of letters in a contraction. Instructions Combine the sentences in each set below into a single clear sentence, converting the words in bold into contractions. Feel free to change the word order, add connecting words, and eliminate needless repetition. Heres an example: Example Original: You are tired. You should not try to study.Combined: You shouldnt try to study when youre tired. If you run into any problems while working on this exercise, review the pages on Standard Contractions in English and What Is Sentence Combining? When youre done, compare your responses with the sample combinations on page two. It is too cold to go swimming this morning.I will stay home and read a book.This morning I left a message for Sam.He has not returned my call.We are lost.We are on a road that does not go anywhere.We will be joining you in Springfield.We hope you do not mind.There is the man.He is the man who is engaged to my sister.She is quitting her job.She did not say why.Merdine has not attended any classes this week.I do not know what is troubling her.The Simpsons are not going with us to the movies.They have not been able to find a babysitter.It is not fair.You are going to Hawaii.I am stuck at home.I would like to help you.You are a close friend.I am too busy right now. Various combinations are possible for each set of sentences in the exercise on page one. Here are some sample responses. Sample Combinations: Exercise in Combining Sentences With Contractions Because its too cold to go swimming this morning, Ill stay home and read a book.This morning I left a message for Sam, but he hasnt returned my call. Were lost on a road that doesnt go anywhere.We hope you dont mind that well be joining you in Springfield. Theres the man whos engaged to my sister.She didnt say why shes quitting her job.Merdine hasnt attended any classes this week, and I dont know whats troubling her.The Simpsons arent going with us to the movies because they havent been able to find a babysitter. Its not fair that youre going to Hawaii while Im stuck at home.Because youre a close friend, Id like to help you, but Im too busy right now.

The U.S. Governments Role in Protecting the Environment

The U.S. Government's Role in Protecting the Environment The regulation of practices that affect the environment is a relatively recent development in the United States, but it is an excellent example of government intervention in the economy for a social purpose. Since the collective rise in consciousness  about the health of the environment, such government intervention in business has become a hot topic not only in the United States but also across the globe. The Rise of Environmental Protection Policies Beginning in the 1960s, Americans became increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of industrial growth. Engine exhaust from growing numbers of automobiles, for instance, was blamed for smog and other forms of air pollution in large cities. Pollution represented what economists call an externality- a cost that the responsible entity can escape but that society as a whole must bear. With market forces unable to address such problems, many environmentalists suggested that the government had a moral obligation to protect the earths fragile ecosystems, even if doing so required some economic growth to be sacrificed. In response, a slew of laws was enacted to control pollution, including examples such as the 1963 Clean Air Act, the 1972 Clean Water Act, and the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act. The Founding of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) In December 1970, environmentalists achieved a major goal with the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through an executive order signed by then-president Richard Nixon.  The creation of the EPA  brought together several federal programs charged with protecting the environment into a single government agency. The EPA was founded with the  goal of protecting human health and the environment by enforcing regulations passed by Congress. Responsibilities of the EPA The EPA sets and enforces tolerable limits of pollution, and it establishes timetables to bring polluters into line with standards, an important aspect of its work since most of these requirements are recent and industries must be given reasonable time, often several years, to conform to new standards. The EPA also has the authority to coordinate and support the research and anti-pollution efforts of state and local governments, private and public groups, and educational institutions. Furthermore, regional EPA offices have the power to develop, propose, and implement approved regional programs for comprehensive environmental protection. While the EPA delegates some responsibilities such as monitoring and enforcement to state governments, it retains the authority to enforce policies through fines, sanctions, and other measures granted by the federal government. The Impact of Environmental Policies Data collected since the EPA began its work in the 1970s shows significant improvements in environmental quality. There has been a nationwide decline in virtually all air pollutants. However, in 1990, many Americans believed that still greater efforts to combat air pollution were needed. In response, Congress passed important amendments to the Clean Air Act that were signed into law by President George H. W. Bush. The legislation incorporated an innovative market-based system designed to secure a substantial reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions, which produce what is more commonly known as acid rain. This type of pollution is believed to cause serious damage to forests and lakes, particularly in the eastern part of the United States and Canada. In the years since, environmental policy has remained at the forefront of political discussion, especially as it relates to clean energy and climate change.