Jam into the 2026 Blue Notes Practice Test – Master the Melody of Success!

Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These gases react with water and other substances in the air to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which then come down as precipitation—acid rain. This specific consequence is the direct environmental effect described by the option. Coal burning does cause air pollution in general, but acid rain is the particular outcome tied to the acidic gases emitted. Hurricanes aren’t caused by burning coal and forest fires aren’t a direct consequence of coal combustion. Pollution is a broad term, but acid rain is the concrete, specific result being asked about.