Deforestation can cause an _____________ in carbon dioxide levels, soil erosion, and loss of animal habitat.

Deforestation can cause an _____________ in carbon dioxide levels, soil erosion, and loss of animal habitat.

• A. rise
• B. increase
• C. growth
• D. surge

Answer: (B)

The main idea is choosing the natural noun to pair with the article and create a standard scientific phrasing. An increase in carbon dioxide levels, soil erosion, and loss of animal habitat is the typical way to express that those quantities rise after deforestation. The word must start with a vowel sound to go with an, and increase is the standard fit for formal writing. While rise could work in other constructions, it would require a or different phrasing, and growth or surge don’t fit as smoothly with the article and common usage in this context. Deforestation leads to more CO2 in the atmosphere, more soil erosion, and greater habitat loss, all described as an increase.

The main idea is choosing the natural noun to pair with the article and create a standard scientific phrasing. An increase in carbon dioxide levels, soil erosion, and loss of animal habitat is the typical way to express that those quantities rise after deforestation. The word must start with a vowel sound to go with an, and increase is the standard fit for formal writing. While rise could work in other constructions, it would require a or different phrasing, and growth or surge don’t fit as smoothly with the article and common usage in this context. Deforestation leads to more CO2 in the atmosphere, more soil erosion, and greater habitat loss, all described as an increase.