Reading Comprehension

PT123 · S1 · P3 · Q15 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.

15.

Based on the information in the passage, with which one of the following statements regarding solar electrical systems would the author be most likely to agree?

Correct
Despite previous difficulties, these systems
Why this is right
This is one of those tough answers where you can't really find any line of text that feels like a good match. Instead, you have to come at it from the perspective of the author's stance in the passage (as well as come at it from the perspective of, "Even if I can't prove this answer from the text, it still seems like the best available answer"). This answer combines our author's two sentiments about solar power: 1. Renewable sources such as solar are possible solutions to the problems caused by increasing demand for electricity. 2. The failure of solar power in Brazil wasn't because of an inherent problem with solar power but because the outsiders who were trying to establish solar power systems in Brazil were too shortsighted when it came to rejecting the overpriced services of local Brazilian companies (the author thinks that it would have been worth paying their rates, even if it increased short-term costs, because in the long run, the development of local expertise would have been worth it). The final sentence of the passage helps us support this answer as well: Because the Danish agency, unlike its US counterpart (which handled the solar power project in Brazil), recognized the importance of local involvement at all levels, the project has a good change of remaining competitive and profitable for the long run. The author thinks that solar can work and be a viable / profitable form of energy. She thinks the failed project in Brazil has an important lesson about involving local companies, but she still has optimism about the technology itself. Thus, she would agree to the idea that, "Despite the difficulties we had establishing solar electrical systems in Brazil, [if we learn our lesson about involving local companies] this technology could be profitable in many countries."
Skill tested: Author Opinion · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.
70% picked this
Though these systems do not
Contradicted: impractical substitute
This goes against the author's stance in the 1st paragraph that solar radiation is a possible solution to the problems created by increased energy demand.
1% picked this
These systems would be more
Unsupported Comparison: dense vs. rural
This answer is essentially grabbing the wrong takeaway from the failed attempt to establish solar energy in Brazil. The author never said it failed because they tried to set it up in rural Brazil, rather than in densely populated Brazil. She said it failed because the foreign project directors didn't engage local Brazilian companies and thereby build up local expertise.
6% picked this
These systems are more costly
Unsupported Comparison: more costly
The author never makes any direct comparison between the costs of solar and the costs of wind. This answer, like (C), would be blaming the failed attempt to establish solar energy in Brazil on the wrong thing. The author wasn't saying that solar in Brazil failed while wind in India succeeded because solar is more expensive to install and run than is wind. She blamed the difference between the Brazil failure and the Indian success story on whether or not locals were engaged to participate in learning and building these new energy systems.
7% picked this
Until the long-term functioning of
Too Strong
Too Strong: cannot be considered viable Contradicted, if anything This goes against the author's stance in the 1st paragraph that solar radiation is a possible solution to the problems created by increased energy demand. Calling solar "a possible solution" definitely implies that it is a viable type of energy technology.
15% picked this

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