The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to caribou,
moose, musk oxen, wolves, foxes, grizzlies, polar bears
and migratory birds. Leaders in the oil industry believe
the refuge is the perfect site for the “environmentally
sensitive exploration” of oil. Environmentalists are
wondering: What will become of the wildlife?

President George W. Bush, oil-industry leaders and others
believe that Americans will benefit from the oil that lies
under the snow-filled surface of the refuge. In their
opinion, the oil will help reduce high fuel prices and
decrease our need for oil from other countries.

I believe the cost of such drilling is too high. I agree with
environmentalists who fear that drilling will disturb the
migration of more than 130,000 caribou. Each spring, the
caribou travel 400 miles to give birth on the coastal plain.
In this area of the refuge, there are fewer predators. In
addition, experts say that the oil in the area adds up to
less than a six-month supply. Is such a small amount of oil
worth the risk drilling poses to these animals?

Americans are the largest consumers of oil. Instead of
drilling for oil, we should decrease our need for foreign
oil simply by using less. We must all work together to cut
back on the oil we use in order to preserve the wildlife
of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

What is this paper arguing for or against?
a.
for oil drilling in Alaska
c.
against oil drilling in Alaska
b.
for the preservation of caribou
d.
none of the above

Please select the best answer from the choices provided

A
B
C
D