Summary Reader Response Outline

Style 1: Traditional Linear Outline

Summarized Article’s Main Idea + Thesis Statement (Level I Controlling Idea):

“Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations" from Today Online, nature enthusiasts groups are inviting the community to submit queries to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), hoping to get more information on the results of drilling works done at Macritchie forest for the upcoming Cross Island MRT line (CRL) (Neo, 2018).

I.      First Supporting Idea – (Level II Controlling Idea)

According to Ms Chole Tan, project manager of Love Our Macritchie Forest, nine parties have submitted questions about the possibility of LTA publicly releasing the outcomes of their monitoring programmes (Neo, 2018).

II.    Second Supporting Idea – (Level II Controlling Idea)

An assessment was done before works started determining the environmental impact if mitigation measures were taken. But there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

III.   Third Supporting Idea – (Level II Controlling Idea)

Second phase of the assessment was done to foresee the outcome of constructing and operating the MRT line.

+ Your Main Idea/Thesis Statement (Level I Controlling Idea):

LTA has done the necessary measures mitigating the impact on the environment therefore LTA should go ahead with their construction plans.

IV.    First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA have emphasized that mitigation measures will be a necessity for contractors doing site investigations. Mitigation measures which includes having enclosures to reduce the impact of noise.

a. Explanation of the supporting idea

LTA has highlighted nine mitigation measures which will be a requirement while doing on site investigations.

b. Example or citation which supports your assertion

According to the Straits Times, Mr Chong Kee Sen, president of The Institution of Engineers said the measures implemented could successfully alleviate water, noise, soil and other environmental impacts (Tan, 2019).

c. Other statements which help support your assertion

LTA also reported that environmental impacts will mostly be contained to the outside of Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) and parts of the tunnel (Mahmud, 2019).

V.     Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA have done their necessary environmental impact assessment.

a. Explanation of the supporting idea

The environmental impact for both alignments are analysed.

b. Example or citation which supports your assertion

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) assesses that the environmental impact for both options can be adequately managed with comprehensive mitigation measures and monitoring plans in place (LTA, 2019).

c. Other statements which help support your assertion

An International Panel of Advisors (IPA), comprising industry experts in tunnelling and underground construction have analysed that with mitigation measures in place, both alignment options are safe (LTA, 2019).

VI.   Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA have been taking all steps in making sure to mitigate potential environmental impact.

a. Explanation of the supporting idea

LTA are carefully looking through all possibilities in making sure to mitigate potential environmental impacts.

b. Example or citation which supports your assertion

According to The Straits Times, 3 hector of forest needs to be cleared to tunnel under the CCNR which will cause a loss of habitat for the wildlife (Tan, 2019). LTA said that, if mitigation measures are carried out, such as having safety barriers made wildlife-friendly the re-planting of tress, the effect of the upcoming train line on CCNR would be reduced (Tan, 2019).

c. Other statements which help support your assertion

Today Online also reported that mitigation measures also includes identifying flora species so as to be able to preserve or salvaged for relocation and wildlife shepherding (Cheng, 2019).

VII.  Conclusion –Review of Main Idea (Tying Yours and That of the Summarized Article’)

LTA have taken all necessary mitigation measure to reduce the impact of CRL on the CCNR. LTA have also displayed that they will be responsible for the environmental impact. With these, LTA should go ahead with their construction plans.