Fill in the blank (article choice) “The earth is at present in great danger of becoming uninhabitable because of ______ environmental pollution which is going on at an incredibly rapid pace.” Choose the correct article.

Given data

• Specific, known, ongoing phenomenon: environmental pollution.

Concept/Approach
Use the definite article the for a specific, widely recognized phenomenon (“the environment,” “the pollution”).

Option analysis
the — correct for a particular, universally known referent.a/an — would suggest an unspecified instance.that — demonstrative; changes the tone and is unnecessary.

Common pitfalls
Avoid “an environmental pollution,” which is unidiomatic.

Final Answer
the