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
How does the use of the phrase 'put on a thin veneer' in paragraph 3 shape the author's argument in the article?
- A. The phrase implies that other companies are misunderstood, while the Gregory brothers are given too much praise.
- B. The phrase indicates that other companies ignore community concerns, while the Gregory brothers do not.
- C. The phrase suggests that other companies pretend to be conscientious, while the Gregory brothers are sincere.
- D. The phrase helps explain how other companies fight their legal battles, while the Gregory brothers do not.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The phrase "put on a thin veneer" suggests superficiality, indicating that other companies may feign concern for community issues without genuine commitment. This contrasts with the Gregory brothers, who are portrayed as sincere in their efforts. Option A misinterprets the phrase, as it does not suggest misunderstanding or excessive praise. Option B inaccurately implies that the focus is solely on community concerns, neglecting the theme of authenticity. Option D incorrectly connects the phrase to legal battles, diverting from the core idea of sincerity versus pretense.
The phrase "put on a thin veneer" suggests superficiality, indicating that other companies may feign concern for community issues without genuine commitment. This contrasts with the Gregory brothers, who are portrayed as sincere in their efforts. Option A misinterprets the phrase, as it does not suggest misunderstanding or excessive praise. Option B inaccurately implies that the focus is solely on community concerns, neglecting the theme of authenticity. Option D incorrectly connects the phrase to legal battles, diverting from the core idea of sincerity versus pretense.
Other Related Questions
Which conclusion is most strongly supported by the information in the email to the zoning commissioner?
- A. Locally owned businesses are commonly found in small communities inside larger cities.
- B. Superstores employ high numbers of residents from the communities where the stores are located.
- C. Many residents in rural areas believe that new growth should be allowed only after approval of nearby communities.
- D. Consumers like the convenience of superstores as long as the stores are located outside their communities.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C is supported by the email's emphasis on the importance of community approval for new growth, reflecting the concerns of rural residents regarding development. This highlights a desire for local governance in decision-making processes. Option A lacks direct support from the email, as it does not address the specific relationship between locally owned businesses and small communities within larger cities. Option B misrepresents the focus of the email, which does not discuss employment statistics related to superstores. Option D contradicts the email's main points, as it does not mention consumer preferences for superstores' locations, instead prioritizing community input in development decisions.
Option C is supported by the email's emphasis on the importance of community approval for new growth, reflecting the concerns of rural residents regarding development. This highlights a desire for local governance in decision-making processes. Option A lacks direct support from the email, as it does not address the specific relationship between locally owned businesses and small communities within larger cities. Option B misrepresents the focus of the email, which does not discuss employment statistics related to superstores. Option D contradicts the email's main points, as it does not mention consumer preferences for superstores' locations, instead prioritizing community input in development decisions.
Which summary best describes the events found in paragraphs 1-4 of the excerpt?
- A. Don Quixote and Sancho seek to make their fortunes, and Don Quixote sees their opportunity when they discover a field of windmills. The field has thirty or forty windmills.
- B. Don Quixote and Sancho came to a field of windmills, which Don Quixote says are giants that he will destroy. Sancho tries to convince Don Quixote these are really windmills.
- C. Don Quixote and Sancho find a field of windmills. Sancho explains to Don Quixote that the wind blows the sails and turns the millstone.
- D. Don Quixote and Sancho discover a field of giants disguised as windmills. Don Quixote vows to defeat the giants, but Sancho is afraid and tries to convince Don Quixote not to fight.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B accurately captures the essence of the events in the first four paragraphs, highlighting Don Quixote's misinterpretation of the windmills as giants and Sancho's attempt to reason with him. This dynamic illustrates the central conflict between reality and illusion. Option A misrepresents the characters' motivations; they are not primarily seeking fortune but rather engaging in a fantastical quest. Option C focuses too much on the mechanics of the windmills, neglecting the dramatic tension between Don Quixote and Sancho. Option D inaccurately frames the windmills as giants rather than emphasizing Don Quixote's delusion, which is critical to understanding the narrative.
Option B accurately captures the essence of the events in the first four paragraphs, highlighting Don Quixote's misinterpretation of the windmills as giants and Sancho's attempt to reason with him. This dynamic illustrates the central conflict between reality and illusion. Option A misrepresents the characters' motivations; they are not primarily seeking fortune but rather engaging in a fantastical quest. Option C focuses too much on the mechanics of the windmills, neglecting the dramatic tension between Don Quixote and Sancho. Option D inaccurately frames the windmills as giants rather than emphasizing Don Quixote's delusion, which is critical to understanding the narrative.
The author of 'The Letter of the Law' has decided to add subheadings to three paragraphs in her article to explain the idea presented in each. Which subheading summarizes which paragraph?
- A. Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear
- B. Salaries favor men over women
- C. Reasoning behind the decision
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B: Paragraph 2, A: Paragraph 4, C Paragraph 5
Subheading B, "Salaries favor men over women," effectively summarizes Paragraph 2, which discusses the gender wage gap and its implications. This aligns with the content's focus on disparities in pay. Subheading A, "Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear," accurately captures Paragraph 4, where the case's background and significance are outlined, emphasizing judicial involvement. Subheading C, "Reasoning behind the decision," pertains to Paragraph 5, which delves into the Court's rationale and legal interpretations regarding the case, clarifying the decision-making process. Each subheading succinctly reflects the core idea of its respective paragraph.
Subheading B, "Salaries favor men over women," effectively summarizes Paragraph 2, which discusses the gender wage gap and its implications. This aligns with the content's focus on disparities in pay. Subheading A, "Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear," accurately captures Paragraph 4, where the case's background and significance are outlined, emphasizing judicial involvement. Subheading C, "Reasoning behind the decision," pertains to Paragraph 5, which delves into the Court's rationale and legal interpretations regarding the case, clarifying the decision-making process. Each subheading succinctly reflects the core idea of its respective paragraph.
What technique does the author use to reveal the narrator's perspective about the ladies at the concert?
- A. She compares the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls.
- B. She repeats descriptive words to show the ladies' perfection.
- C. She exaggerates the appearance of the ladies.
- D. She describes two extremes of the ladies' dresses.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.