AASA Writing Expository Practice

Last updated 11 months ago

1 question

Your community is having a drought. It is important for all residents to be able to save water in this time. Write an essay for your fellow community member and answer the question:
What are ways people can conserve water?
Use information from the passages in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can • read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to include
• an introduction;
• support for your opinion using information from the passages; and
• a conclusion that is related to your opinion.
Your response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.

Save Our Water!

Did you know that kids can make a very important difference in saving the earth’s water? They can!
But first off, why do we even need to save water? Water is a natural resource that we get from the Earth. Without it, we would not be able to live! Imagine a world with no water at all. You wouldn't be able to drink it, bathe, or swim! Without clean water, plants, animals, birds and ocean life would also be unable to live. Kids can help protect this
resource. 
You make a huge difference simply by starting at home. To get an idea of how much water
we could save if we all made a small effort, think about this. What if every person across the nation flushed their toilets one time less every day? Together they could save enough water to fill a lake as large as a mile wide and long and four feet in depth!
Now you know how important it is to help save water. Try some of the ideas below. Start doing your part to change our world!
Some Ways Kids Can Help to Save Water:
● When you wash your hands, don’t leave the water running. Wet your hands and turn the water off. Use soap and lather your hands well. Then turn the water on to rinse. Turn off the water and make sure it is off completely. Then dry your hands.
● Do the same when you brush your teeth. Turn the faucet on to get your toothbrush and
toothpaste wet. Turn it on again to rinse your mouth and toothbrush. Don’t leave the water running while you’re brushing.
● Baths use a lot of water (about 37 gallons on average). Take short showers, and use only
about 20 gallons of water, instead.
● Do you have plants in your house? When vegetables or other fresh produce are washed,
collect that water and use it to water the plants.
● Do you like a drink of cold water now and then? Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. That way you don’t have to run the water to get it cold.
● Put a barrel outdoors to catch rain water. Then use that water for things like watering plants or flushing toilets. You can save hundreds of gallons of water a year!
● In the summertime, it’s fun to play under the lawn sprinkler. When you do, make sure it’s only when the lawn is being watered.
● Remind the others in your home, and your friends, not to leave any faucet running. Only use what is truly needed!
● Is there a leaky faucet or toilet in the bathroom at school? Be sure to let someone know so that it can be repaired.
Even if you do just one thing each day to contribute to your home’s water conservation, you’re doing the right thing!

School project to save water may make history!
By Tribune Content Agency, adapted by Newsela staff

In 2015, four middle school students started working on a group science project. Last month, they presented their project to the California State Assembly. The state's lawmakers gather there to discuss bills. If a bill is approved, it becomes a law. The four students call themselves the Water Guardians. Their bill says that water supply companies must include K-12 schools in water conservation programs. Thanks to these programs, customers who are not wasteful with water can get money back. This encourages people to waste less. 
Water Guardians Want Schools To Waste Less Water 
The Water Guardians want schools to waste less water, too. So, they presented their idea to state lawmakers. "It was an incredible experience to learn how California government works," said Jessica Gallegos, one of the students. She is 14. The four students took turns speaking to lawmakers. They explained why the bill would be a good law. 
Saving More Than 20 Gallons Of Water A Day! 
Phillip Chen is a California lawmaker. He said he is proud of the students, because they saw a problem and are trying to help solve it. "This bill can save California more than 20 million gallons per day," he said. Mr. Chen introduced the bill to the other lawmakers. He also joined the students as they explained their bill. The Water Guardians formed almost two years ago at Washington Middle School in California. The four girls were in science class together. Susan Pritchard was their teacher. She challenged her students to enter a national contest. Their mission was to choose an environmental problem and come up with a plan to solve it. "The first thing I ask my students when we enter a contest is: are you doing this for the competition or do you have a passion for what you want to do," Pritchard said. "These girls have a passion for what they are doing." In 2015, California was in the middle of a long drought. The state was not getting enough rain. As a result, there was a shortage of water. So, the students proposed ways to use less water at their school. Their ideas included changing the landscaping. Grass could be replaced by plants that needed less water. The students looked into getting toilets and faucets that use less water, too.

Students Win Prize Money
The school made many changes. And the students' water-saving plan won the contest! They received $25,000 in prize money. "Students at Washington Middle School will now go up to teachers and let them know there is a leak," said Fiona Paredes. Fiona is one of the Water Guardians. She is 15 years old. "The students are more aware of the environment now." Jim Byerum was impressed by the group's plan. He is the president of California Domestic Water Company, a water supplier. Byerum saw the group present their idea to the city government in 2015. He said he was impressed by their hard work and good ideas. "It blew me away," Byerum said. "This community should be fully supporting this group." 
A Trip To The State Assembly 
The group's work isn't done. They will soon make another trip to the State Assembly. They will discuss the bill with lawmakers and go over possible additions. Then lawmakers will vote on the bill. They will decide if it should become a law. The Guardians also want to encourage other students to keep thinking about how to save water. They are setting up water conservation clubs at other schools. Clubs are planned for a high school, a middle school and three elementary schools. "There are a lot of students that are aware of what we are doing," said Jessica. "We are hoping it snowballs and other students teach other students and the clubs continue to grow."

Required

Your community is having a drought. It is important for all residents to be able to save water in this time. Write an essay for your fellow community member and answer the question:
What are ways people can conserve water?
Use information from the passages in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can • read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to include
• an introduction;
• support for your opinion using information from the passages; and
• a conclusion that is related to your opinion.
Your response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.