Save That Green! Dear Editor, 1What will be built on the last green area in the center of town? Will it be an unhealthy fast-food spot or another parking lot? We don’t need those! There are two diners within a few blocks of the area, and people usually don’t drive into the town center. Everyone knows there are always plenty of places to park on Mattingly Avenue and on Ruth Street. 2What we need is a park to protect the gnarled old oak tree growing there. Everyone knows the tree I mean—the one with the trunk that’s too big to put your arms around! That tree has been there for more than 100 years. Children climb it and use it as a lookout when they play pirates. Cows used to graze in its shade. Many a pair of sweethearts met underneath its leafy branches. 3The old oak tree has its small place in history, too. The great American writer Mark Twain once rested under it! He told the story in a letter. His train was late, and he strolled into the town. Tired from his long day’s journey, he stretched out in the shade of the oak and took a nap. 4That old tree and this town both need a cool, peaceful park, not another parking lot. Let’s save the green and tree! Signed, Theresa Ver 1. The main purpose of this article is to

Save That Green! Dear Editor, 1What will be built on the last green area in the center of town? Will it be an unhealthy fast-food spot or another parking lot? We don’t need those! There are two diners within a few blocks of the area, and people usually don’t drive into the town center. Everyone knows there are always plenty of places to park on Mattingly Avenue and on Ruth Street. 2What we need is a park to protect the gnarled old oak tree growing there. Everyone knows the tree I mean—the one with the trunk that’s too big to put your arms around! That tree has been there for more than 100 years. Children climb it and use it as a lookout when they play pirates. Cows used to graze in its shade. Many a pair of sweethearts met underneath its leafy branches. 3The old oak tree has its small place in history, too. The great American writer Mark Twain once rested under it! He told the story in a letter. His train was late, and he strolled into the town. Tired from his long day’s journey, he stretched out in the shade of the oak and took a nap. 4That old tree and this town both need a cool, peaceful park, not another parking lot. Let’s save the green and tree! Signed, Theresa Ver 2. The author hopes readers will agree that

Save That Green! Dear Editor, 1What will be built on the last green area in the center of town? Will it be an unhealthy fast-food spot or another parking lot? We don’t need those! There are two diners within a few blocks of the area, and people usually don’t drive into the town center. Everyone knows there are always plenty of places to park on Mattingly Avenue and on Ruth Street. 2What we need is a park to protect the gnarled old oak tree growing there. Everyone knows the tree I mean—the one with the trunk that’s too big to put your arms around! That tree has been there for more than 100 years. Children climb it and use it as a lookout when they play pirates. Cows used to graze in its shade. Many a pair of sweethearts met underneath its leafy branches. 3The old oak tree has its small place in history, too. The great American writer Mark Twain once rested under it! He told the story in a letter. His train was late, and he strolled into the town. Tired from his long day’s journey, he stretched out in the shade of the oak and took a nap. 4That old tree and this town both need a cool, peaceful park, not another parking lot. Let’s save the green and tree! Signed, Theresa Ver 3. Which of the following does the author believe?