Complete the passage

Situation: Existing infrastructure and transportation systems put states that have lost manufacturing jobs in a strong position to recover.

Reasoning: Which of the following best completes the sentence? The correct answer to this question depends on filling in the blank with an idea that continues the one introduced in the first half of the passage. The first half of the passage is concerned with a way to recover employment opportunities. The infrastructure and transportation in these states mean that they are already prepared to begin manufacturing.

This option correctly completes the sentence by continuing an idea from the first half of the passage: states that have lost manufacturing jobs are in the best position to begin manufacturing materials in the green energy sector.
Tax rebates are not discussed in the passage.
This option is merely a paraphrase of the first sentence and does not add new information to the passage.
The word continue is incorrect; according to the passage, green energy manufacturing would be a new industry for the states.
The words adapt quickly just before the blank make it clear that the states are expected to begin using their infrastructure and transportation immediately, not researching.
The correct answer is A.

The answer has to be "A"

Explanation:
Some states are hit hard by losses in manufacturing jobs. Since there are fewer opportunities in manufacturing industry in these states, these states can switch to "green energy" sector. This is so because, the existing infrastructure and transportation can be used to make a faster switch over to the "green energy" sector.

Or in other words the last sentence of the passage gives the reason why the move could be made.

The logical structure of the passage is as below:
Losses in manufacturing jobs[Current situation]--> Move to Green energy sector[Suggestion]-->Because of availability
of infrastructure & transportation (1)one can get started quickly and (2)start manufacturing materials & renewable energy products.


a.begin manufacturing materials and finished renewable energy products.
=>This is the correct answer.

b.take advantage of tax rebates offered for green businesses.
=>From the last sentence of the passage, it is clear that we are interested in knowing how existing infrastructure and transportation could be used to make a quick switch to "GREEN ENERGY" sector.This option doesn't address the point.Also note that existing infrastructure and transportation have no bearing on "taking advantage of tax rebates.".Any company moving to GREEN ENERGY can avail tax exemption.

c.regain jobs lost due to a slowdown in the manufacturing industry.
=>This point has already been mentioned in the passage.

d.continue manufacturing wind turbines and other products popular in the green energy sector.
=>The reasoning in the passage states to make a move to GREEN ENERGY sector.This option doesn't fit the bill as it mentions to stay put in the manufacturing industry and continue manufacturing products popular in GREEN ENERGY sector rather than making a move to GREEN ENERGY industry itself.

e.start an aggressive research process to determine the viability of green energy in the area.
=>This is not the intention of making a move to GREEN ENERGY sector. The intention is to regain some of the lost employment opportunities in manufacturing industry.


Hope that helps,
Vijay

But wouldn't the priority of these states be to regain lost jobs? Therefore, shouldn't that be mentioned here? And by saying "in a position to adapt quickly...", does it not mean that the states can adapt quickly and regain lost jobs?

As I have mentioned in my previous post, whether the move to GREEN ENERGY sector will help in regaining the lost jobs in manufacturing,has been already answered in the stimulus(and the answer is YES).The stimulus then tries to pursuade us by offering additional support. i.e. it explains how the existing infrastructure and transportation of the manufacturing industy could be utilized. So, the last sentence needs to be written as below:

Existing infrastructure and transportation systems put these states
in a position to adapt quickly
and
something that can be achieved by using existing infrastructure and transportation

Regards,
Vijay

Should be A, since it already has the infrastrcture then to start manufacturing materials and finished renewable energy products shouldnt be an issue.