Say it another way!
The class was silent during the test, and the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
What is the synonym for silent in this sentence?
quiet
This is one big problem described in “Trash Vortex”: it harms animals and takes a long time to break down.
Plastic pollution?
The child was timid around strangers, often acting shy and nervous.
What is the synonym for timid in this sentence?
Shy
“Trash Vortex” uses facts and expert opinions to develop this key idea about the ocean.
The ocean is filled with harmful plastic that doesn't go away easily.
She vanished into the crowd, completely disappearing from sight.
What is the synonym for vanished in this sentence?
Disappeared
In “Five Weird Materials,” this central idea connects all five items.
We need new materials to replace plastic because plastic is harmful to the planet.
His speech was brief, just a few short sentences before he sat down.
What is the synonym for brief in this sentence?
Short
Which two central ideas are shared by both “Trash Vortex” and “Five Weird Materials That Could Replace Plastic”?
Plastic pollution is a major problem, and people are working on ways to fix it.
“Some may develop tumors or liver damage because the plastics are sponges for soaking up
pollutants such as mercury, flame retardants, and pesticides. These toxins make their way
up the food chain.”
What is the synonym for pollutants in this sentence?
toxins