Los Angeles recently experienced one of the largest wildfires in its history,consuming over 100,000 acres of land and forcing thousands of residents toevacuate. The fire, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation, spread rapidlyacross the region. Local authorities deployed hundreds of firefighters andaerial water tankers to contain the blaze, but challenging terrain made theirefforts difficult.

The wildfire caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and wildlifehabitats. Many residents faced power outages, while emergency shelters werequickly set up to accommodate evacuees. The fire’s origin is believed to behuman activity, though investigations are ongoing. Experts warn that theincreasing frequency of such fires is linked to climate change, which has led toprolonged droughts and higher temperatures in California.

Despite the destruction, community efforts have emerged to support affectedfamilies, with donations and volunteer aid pouring in. Recovery efforts areexpected to take months, but the resilience of the residents shines through inthe face of adversity.

Which of the following contributed to the Los Angeles fire?

Super Typhoon Krathon, one of the strongest storms to hit China in decades, made landfall in the coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong in August 2024. With wind speeds reaching 240 kilometers per hour, the typhoon caused massive flooding, landslides, and wide spread destruction of infrastructure. Authoritieshad issued evacuation orders for millions of residents, with over 2 million people relocated to safety.

The typhoon disrupted transportation and communication systems, leaving someregions completely isolated. Emergency response teams worked around the clock torescue stranded individuals and provide food, water, and medical assistance. The economic damage caused by Krathon is estimated to exceed $15 billion, with significant losses in agriculture and industry.

Scientists attribute the intensity of the storm to rising sea surface temperatures caused by global warming. They warn that typhoons like Krathon arelikely to become more frequent and severe in the coming years. In response, theChinese government has pledged to strengthen disaster preparedness and invest inclimate resilience projects to reduce future risks.

What was the wind speed of Typhoon Krathon when it made landfall?

CCPrabowo’s statement reflects a long-standing tension between economic development and environmental conservation in Indonesia. As the world’s largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia has long relied on the industry for economic growth, job creation, and export revenues. However, this expansion has come at a steep cost—massive deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions.

By downplaying the environmental impact of palm oil plantations, Prabowo risks undermining years of progress in sustainable forestry and conservation efforts. His remarks suggest a fundamental misunderstanding—or deliberate dismissal—of how deforestation works. While oil palm trees are indeed plants, replacing primary rainforests with monoculture plantations does not maintain the same ecological balance. Forests store carbon, support diverse wildlife, and regulate water cycles, whereas palm plantations do not serve these same functions.

Environmental groups and climate activists have been quick to criticize Prabowo’s stance, warning that further expansion of oil palm plantations will accelerate habitat destruction, particularly in regions like Sumatra and Kalimantan. Deforestation has already pushed species such as the orangutan and Sumatran tiger to the brink of extinction. Additionally, it contributes to frequent forest fires, which release massive amounts of greenhouse gases and cause transboundary haze that affects Indonesia’s neighbors.

Prabowo’s comments also raise concerns about Indonesia’s international commitments. The country has pledged to reduce deforestation under the Paris Agreement and has received funding from global initiatives like the REDD+ program to curb forest loss. A policy shift favoring palm oil expansion over conservation could damage Indonesia’s credibility on the world stage and impact trade relations with environmentally conscious markets in Europe and North America.

Rather than promoting outdated narratives that pit economic growth against environmental sustainability, Indonesia needs a more balanced approach. Strengthening certification programs like the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) system, enforcing stricter land-use regulations, and investing in agroforestry models that integrate conservation with economic benefits could offer a path forward.

Ultimately, Indonesia’s forests are not just a resource to be exploited—they are a crucial part of the nation’s natural heritage and global ecological health. Leadership should recognize that a truly prosperous future must include both economic opportunity and environmental responsibility.

Question : How does the author introduce the central issue of the passage?

Prabowo’s statement reflects a long-standing tension between economic development and environmental conservation in Indonesia. As the world’s largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia has long relied on the industry for economic growth, job creation, and export revenues. However, this expansion has come at a steep cost—massive deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions.

By downplaying the environmental impact of palm oil plantations, Prabowo risks undermining years of progress in sustainable forestry and conservation efforts. His remarks suggest a fundamental misunderstanding—or deliberate dismissal—of how deforestation works. While oil palm trees are indeed plants, replacing primary rainforests with monoculture plantations does not maintain the same ecological balance. Forests store carbon, support diverse wildlife, and regulate water cycles, whereas palm plantations do not serve these same functions.

Environmental groups and climate activists have been quick to criticize Prabowo’s stance, warning that further expansion of oil palm plantations will accelerate habitat destruction, particularly in regions like Sumatra and Kalimantan. Deforestation has already pushed species such as the orangutan and Sumatran tiger to the brink of extinction. Additionally, it contributes to frequent forest fires, which release massive amounts of greenhouse gases and cause transboundary haze that affects Indonesia’s neighbors.

Prabowo’s comments also raise concerns about Indonesia’s international commitments. The country has pledged to reduce deforestation under the Paris Agreement and has received funding from global initiatives like the REDD+ program to curb forest loss. A policy shift favoring palm oil expansion over conservation could damage Indonesia’s credibility on the world stage and impact trade relations with environmentally conscious markets in Europe and North America.

Rather than promoting outdated narratives that pit economic growth against environmental sustainability, Indonesia needs a more balanced approach. Strengthening certification programs like the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) system, enforcing stricter land-use regulations, and investing in agroforestry models that integrate conservation with economic benefits could offer a path forward.

Ultimately, Indonesia’s forests are not just a resource to be exploited—they are a crucial part of the nation’s natural heritage and global ecological health. Leadership should recognize that a truly prosperous future must include both economic opportunity and environmental responsibility.

Question : What is the function of the fourth paragraph in the author’s argument?

Many Indonesians affected by the wildfires have been forced to evacuate, seeking temporary shelter in community centers, hotels, and the homes of relatives or friends. Some have lost all their belongings, while others are anxiously waiting to return and assess the damage. The Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles has been actively assisting affected citizens, providing emergency aid, temporary housing support, and facilitating communication with local authorities.

In response to the crisis, Indonesian community organizations in the US have also mobilized efforts to support those in need. Fundraising initiatives, donation drives, and volunteer groups have emerged to help displaced families recover. Meanwhile, Indonesian officials are working closely with the US government and relief agencies to ensure that affected citizens receive the necessary assistance, including legal and immigration support for those who may have lost important documents in the fire.

The scale of destruction caused by the wildfires has prompted widespread discussions about climate change, disaster preparedness, and the need for stronger wildfire mitigation measures. While authorities continue to battle the remaining fires and assess the full extent of the damage, affected Indonesians in Los Angeles are now focused on rebuilding their lives, demonstrating resilience in the face of one of the worst natural disasters in recent US history.

Question : How does the second paragraph contribute to the overall structure of the passage?