Scientists at Michigan Slate University are asking a most challenging question. Can a computer program be considered alive? The members oi the Digital Evolution Laboratory say yes. Computer scientists at the laboratory have creaied a program called Avida that has intrigued not only scientists and engineers, but biologists and philosophers as well. | The second option and certainly the more appealing one involves raising the land level along the shore. This approach although certainly a far costlier one offers several advantages. First it does not require the removal or demolition of buildings. Instead the entire land mass is raised to protect it from the ocean. Second the federal government does not have to intervene in the form of land buys or flood insurance. Despite these benefits many communities choose not to raise the land due to the great cost and large amount of labor involved. To raise the land sand must be pumped onto the beach including the underwater part of the beach until the land level gradually rises. In addition roads houses and other structures must be gradually raised again. The size of this undertaking prevents many communities from considering it. One of the major hurdles facing policy makers is the lack of urgency surrounding the onset of global warming and rising sea levels. Many communities do not see the need for taking action in response to a situation that will not materialize for another 100 years. However considering the possible consequences of inaction community leaders would be advised to begin serious discussions as to their preferred strategy. Purpose How is the passage structured Paragraph 1 __ Paragraph 2 __ Paragraph 3 __ Paragraph 4 __ Paragraph 5 __ Paragraph 6 __ Main idea _ 70 CRACKING THE TOEFL rs to Final Exam The purpose of this passage is to provide a possible solution to a problem. The .
