Reading Comprehension

PT123 · S1 · P3 · Q14 Renewable Energy Resources

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The following passage was written in the mid-1990s.

Topic

Electricity demand, environmental impacts of fossil fuels, and the effectiveness of renewable energy projects in different countries (Brazil and India).

Framework

Theme / Example (with touches of Problem / Solution)

Main Point

Renewable energy sources can help meet rising electricity demands without the environmental harms of fossil fuels, but their long-term success depends on building local production capacity—as illustrated by failed efforts in Brazil and successful ones in India.

Most Valuable Sentence: The end of paragraph 2 and throughout paragraph 3: and

P1: The Problem with Rising Electricity Demand and Fossil Fuels

Many countries expect their electricity needs to rise dramatically, which could result in severe environmental and health problems due to more air pollution from fossil fuels. Renewables like solar, wind, and water are cleaner alternatives, but there are challenges in successfully implementing these technologies.

P2: Example of a Stalled Renewable Project in Brazil

In Brazil, a U.S.-backed project brought solar electricity to rural homes, but by ignoring local production (and going with cheaper, foreign-made parts), they missed a chance to build local expertise and manufacturing. As a result, the project could only sustain itself at a small scale, stalling further growth.

P3: Example of a Successful Renewable Project in India

In India, a Danish-supported wind energy project focused on training local people and building local manufacturing ability. This led to a booming wind power sector because local firms could produce equipment and expand the market, showing that involvement at all levels is key to long-term success.

14.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

  1. While some later efforts to

    Wrong Emphasis: early vs. later

    While it's true that the more successful venture was earlier (India in the 1980's vs. Brazil in the 90s'), the passage never made earlier vs. later into an important distinction. Otherwise, this answer is worth considering, since it does seem to highlight the causal difference-maker for success: relying more heavily on local involvement.

    15% picked this

  2. Investors in renewable energy projects

    Wrong Emphasis: no "implementation"

    This answer doesn't talk about the pitfalls / key strategies relating to how a new energy technology gets implemented. This answer seems to only be talking about whether investors should / shouldn't invest in renewable energy in the first place. This also doesn't mention the key factor the author wants us to come away with, the big difference between the failed Brazilian attempt and the successful Indian one: local involvement.

    1% picked this

  3. Renewable energy sources represent a

    Opposite Takeaway

    This answer could be great if it ended with "... can be implemented most effectively in countries that have heavy local involvement when it comes to setting up and running these technologies". This answer is providing the opposite takeaway, that the key to success is foreign involvement.

    5% picked this

  4. Correct

    Though renewable energy sources represent

    Why this is right

    The warm-up clause covers the context of the 1st paragraph, and then the main clause gives us the key takeaway of the two examples: the secret to success is getting good local participation.

    Skill tested: Main Point · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

    78% picked this

  5. Certain types of renewable energy

    Wrong Emphasis: solar vs. wind

    Just like (A), this focuses on the wrong distinction between why India succeeded and why Brazil failed. (A) makes it seem like it was a case of earlier vs. later. (E) makes it seem like it was a case of wind vs solar. But the causal distinction the author was trying to convey was that in Brazil there was little local involvement and India there was much.

    1% picked this

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