It is hard to find a politician who doesn’t have some sort of plan

Question

It is hard to find a politician who doesn’t have some sort of plan for energy independence, but we will never see true independence from foreign sources of energy without making the kind of sacrifices that elected officials are loath to mention. For example, virtually every politician campaigning for national office touts biofuels, especially ethanol, as a solution to our nation’s energy dependence. However, the actual energy that can be harvested from these sources is miniscule compared to our current level of consumption—about 20 million barrels of oil and gasoline per day.

We need to take serious, even drastic, steps now. Nuclear fuel, despite all its promise, is understandably controversial, and the problem of dealing with radioactive waste will not go away anytime soon. We might find an acceptable method of drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Alaskan wilderness, but this too will take some time, and will only take us so far down the road to energy independence.

Thus, it is the level of consumption, rather than our sources of energy, that needs to change; putting our resources into developing alternative energy sources will only obscure this unavoidable fact. One way policymakers might affect the level of energy consumption is by increasing taxes on gasoline. In accordance with the principles of a free-market economy, such as that of our own nation, if the price of gasoline were to double due to the addition of such taxes, oil consumption would drop by 3 to 5 million barrels per day.

We also need to overhaul the way in which we move goods around the country. Using gas-guzzling trucks for cross-country trips is extremely inefficient. Moving away from the use of trucks for long-haul trips will require significant governmental and private investment in new water transport and electric railway infrastructure. Once this infrastructure is in place, however, these methods of shipping will be much more energy efficient for all but local transportation of goods.

These and other real solutions to our energy dependence issues will be unpopular in many quarters. Car and truck manufacturers will use their considerable political muscle to fight not only significant gas tax hikes, but also stringent fuel efficiency requirements on vehicles. The move away from trucking will be resisted by both the “big-box” retail outlets, which depend on trucks for the delivery of goods, and by the trucking industry itself. The farming industry will do everything it can to push for the widespread use of ethanol and other plant-based fuels. But it is consumer resistance that most needs to be overcome. Too many of us believe that the guarantee of cheap fuel is an inalienable right, and balk at funding public transportation.

Recently, there has been a gradual change in attitude as people start to connect their daily habits with larger environmental concerns. Until enough of us make that connection and are willing to make a few lifestyle changes accordingly, we have no business complaining about our energy dependence on other countries.  
 1 
 C 
 1. What does the author of the passage believe is most important for lessening our need for foreign sources of energy?
 
A. The political courage of elected officials to make tough decisions.
B. Civic responsibility on the part of the automotive industry.
C. The willingness of consumers to change their habits.
D. A restructuring of the farming and trucking industries.
E. The development of safe alternatives to oil.

2 
 A 
 2. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s opinion of ethanol?
 
A. Despite its popularity with politicians, it will not have enough impact to substantially lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy.
B. The influence of the farming industry will prevent it from becoming available to most consumers.
C. It is the most practical of the various plant-based biofuels available.
D. Its use will play a small part in reducing our energy needs.
E. It is unlikely to be useful as a way of our gaining energy independence because of consumer resistance to its use

3 
 E 
 3. It can be inferred that the author believes that a tax increase on gasoline _______.
 
A. is not feasible because politicians do not understand the issue enough to call for such a raise
B. will limit the transporting of goods by “big-box” retail outlets
C. will reduce our annual consumption by approximately 4 million gallons
D. will only be possible after improvements have been made in automobile fuel efficiency
E. will use the fundamentals of free-market economics to address the problem of energy dependence

4 
 D 
 4. The primary purpose of the second paragraph of the passage is to _______.
 
A. dismiss some alternative forms of energy that are unpopular with big business
B. show that there are not enough new alternatives for becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy
C. provide historical background for the problem of energy-dependence
D. show the problems inherent in two sources of energy that could help us be come more energy-independent
E. ridicule any attempt to solve the problem of energy-dependence that does not take into account consumption levels

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

Regarding the 3rd question,
the passage says

According to free market eco principles, usage will reduce to x barrels.
But nowhere it is mentioned that
A  tax increase  on gasoline  will use  the fundamentals of free-market economics to address the problem of energy dependence.
Then how can we infer Option E?
Also explain each option why it is wrong/right?

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

We need to take serious, even drastic, steps now. Nuclear fuel, despite all its promise, is understandably controversial, and the problem of dealing with radioactive waste will not go away anytime soon. We might find an acceptable method of drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Alaskan wilderness, but this too will take some time, and will only take us so far down the road to energy independence.

This gives the reason why  Nuclear fue l and  Acceptable method of drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas  contain problems although they have the capacity to our energy dependency.

4. The primary purpose of the second paragraph of the passage is to _______.

A. dismiss some alternative forms of energy that are unpopular with big business
B. show that there are not enough new alternatives for becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy
C. provide historical background for the problem of energy-dependence
D. show the problems inherent in two sources of energy that could help us be come more energy-independent
E. ridicule any attempt to solve the problem of energy-dependence that does not take into account consumption levels

Here the authors just shows or explains the difficulties of two resources.
Ridicule indicates harsh criticism is way too extreme wording.
He does not criticize any attempt to solve problem instead he is concerned regarding it.
So E is extremely wrong choice.

MorningRunner · Answer

For the question number 2, I was confused between A and E...
I agree that A is right option..
But can anyone tell me why option E is wrong? I donot understand why option E is wrong...
The 5th paragraph clearly states that --> 
 The farming industry will do everything it can to push for the widespread use of ethanol and other plant-based fuels. But it is consumer resistance that most needs to be overcome.

Can we not infer that "author believes in the option E" ???
What is wrong in my thinking?

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

when u refer to it means that farming will try to promote ethanol and others but customer needs to prefer them to gasoline. but well before that in the end of first para the author mentions that farmers to improve their sales of plant based fuels and politicians to impress farmers support or promote ethanol as solution, but ethanol cannot generate much energy needed for our consumption. so A is the perfect answer which properly conveys the meaning. coming to E, it says It is true that ethanol is unlikely to be useful as a way of our gaining energy independence but the reason for that to happen is not customer resistance to it but its own less capacity to generate needed energy. I hope this helps :-D

carcass · Answer

This question is a part of QOTD Question Collection

It is hard to find a politician who doesn’t have some sort of plan for energy independence, but we will never see true independence from foreign sources of energy without making the kind of
sacrifices that elected officials are loath to mention. For example, virtually every politician campaigning for national office touts biofuels, especially ethanol, as a solution to our nation’s energy dependence. However, the actual energy that can be harvested from these sources is miniscule compared to our current level of consumption—about 20 million barrels of oil and gasoline per day. We need to take serious, even drastic, steps now. Nuclear fuel, despite all its promise, is understandably controversial, and the problem of dealing with radioactive waste will not go away anytime soon. We might find an acceptable method of drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Alaskan wilderness, but this too will take some time, and will only take us so far down the road to energy independence. Thus, it is the level of consumption, rather than our sources of energy, that needs to change; putting our resources into developing alternative energy sources will only obscure this unavoidable fact. One way policymakers might affect the level of energy consumption is by increasing taxes on gasoline. In accordance with the principles of a free-market economy, such as that of our own nation, if the price of gasoline were to double due to the addition of such taxes, oil consumption would drop by 3 to 5 million barrels per day. We also need to overhaul the way in which we move goods around the country. Using gas-guzzling trucks for cross-country trips is extremely inefficient. Moving away from the use of trucks for long-haul trips will require significant governmental and private investment in new water transport and electric railway infrastructure. Once
this infrastructure is in place, however, these methods of shipping will be much more energy efficient for all but local transportation of goods. These and other real solutions to our energy dependence issues will be unpopular in many quarters. Car and truck manufacturers will use their considerable political muscle to fight not only significant gas tax hikes, but also stringent fuel efficiency requirements on vehicles. The move away from trucking will be resisted by both the “big-box” retail outlets, which depend on trucks for the delivery of goods, and by the trucking industry itself. The farming industry will do everything it can to push for the widespread use of ethanol and other plant-based fuels. But it is consumer resistance that most needs to be overcome. Too many of us believe that the guarantee of cheap fuel is an inalienable right, and balk at funding public transportation. Recently, there has been a gradual change in attitude as people start to connect their daily habits with larger environmental concerns. Until enough of us make that connection and are willing to make a few lifestyle changes accordingly, we have no business complaining about our energy dependence on other countries.  What does the author of the passage believe is most important for lessening our need for foreign sources of energy?

(A) The political courage of elected officials to make tough decisions
(B) Civic responsibility on the part of the automotive industry
(C) The willingness of consumers to change their habits
(D) A restructuring of the farming and trucking industries
(E) The development of safe alternatives to oil

C

Which of the following best characterizes the author’s opinion of ethanol?

(A) Despite its popularity with politicians, it will not have enough impact to substantially lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy.
(B) The influence of the farming industry will prevent it from becoming available to most consumers.
(C) It is the most practical of the various plant-based biofuels available.
(D) Its use will play a small part in reducing our energy needs.
(E) It is unlikely to be useful as a way of our gaining energy independence because of consumer resistance to its use.

A

It can be inferred that the author believes that a tax increase on gasoline _______.

(A) is not feasible because politicians do not understand the issue enough to call for such a raise
(B) will limit the transporting of goods by “big-box” retail outlets
(C) will reduce our annual consumption by approximately 4 million gallons
(D) will only be possible after improvements have been made in automobile fuel efficiency
(E) will use the fundamentals of free-market economics to address the problem of energy dependence

E

The primary purpose of the second paragraph of the passage is to _______.

(A) dismiss some alternative forms of energy that are unpopular with big business
(B) show that there are not enough new alternatives for becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy
(C) provide historical background for the problem of energy-dependence
(D) show the problems inherent in two sources of energy that could help us be come more energy-independent
(E) ridicule any attempt to solve the problem of energy-dependence that does not take into account consumption levels

D

babuvgmat · Answer

1. C
Thus, it is the level of consumption, rather than our sources of energy, that needs to change;

2. A

Ethanol is provided as an example for the things that do not reduce our foreign sources of energy.
For example, virtually every politician campaigning for national office touts biofuels, especially ethanol, as a solution to our nation’s energy dependence. However, the actual energy that can be harvested from these sources is miniscule compared to our current level of consumption—about 20 million barrels of oil and gasoline per day.

3. 
In accordance with the principles of a free-market economy, such as that of our own nation, if the price of gasoline were to double due to the addition of such taxes, oil consumption would drop by 3 to 5 million barrels per day. 
C) 3 to 5 barrels per days , from which we could not approximate to 4 million gallons per year ; i think one barrel is around 42 gallons.
E) Correct.

4. E or D.

carcass · Answer

The other options are not mentioned.

B) the farming industry, actually, wants ethanol to be used
C) The comparison is never made
D) Never state in the passage that we will reduce to 0% our dependency for foreign energy supply, in generl
E) No mention is stated about consumers resisting to use ethanol

HG0815 · Answer

In my case, I was confused between C and E
But I am now clearly understand why the OA is E

3. It can be inferred that the author believes that a tax increase on gasoline _______.

A. is not feasible because politicians do not understand the issue enough to call for such a raise
 -> Understanding of politians is not mentioned anywhere.
B. will limit the transporting of goods by ???big-box??? retail outlets
 -> Not mentioned
C. will reduce our annual consumption by approximately 4 million gallons
 -> If tax is doubled, then consumption would be 3 to 5 million 
 gallons.
 But we do not know the rate of tax increase!!
 If tax is doubled, C is possible but there is no mention!! 
D. will only be possible after improvements have been made in automobile fuel efficiency
 -> Only? No. 
E. will use the fundamentals of free-market economics to address the problem of energy dependence
 -> Correct. This passage talks about energy independence.

jawele · Answer

Hi, please can anybody give a comment on D?

2. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s opinion of ethanol?
A. Despite its popularity with politicians, it will not have enough impact to substantially lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy.
B. The influence of the farming industry will prevent it from becoming available to most consumers.
C. It is the most practical of the various plant-based biofuels available.
 D. Its use will play a small part in reducing our energy needs. 
E. It is unlikely to be useful as a way of our gaining energy independence because of consumer resistance to its use

I chose the correct answer, but was in doubt for D. Is it because of the wording '...will play a small part...' that is not actually mentioned how big or small in the paragraph. Although I think one can reasonably infer '...minuscule effect...' could have a similar meaning to '...play a small part'.

Thanks

LoneSurvivor · Answer

Can anyone explain what is wrong with option E in question 2. Why A is the correct answer. I am not getting any reason to eliminate option E over A

deep31993 · Answer

Can anyone mention correct reasoning for Q 4th? I found answer D unconvincing.  GMATNinja  please help

bM22 · Answer

Hi  deep31993 ,

Let me know if this helps.

4. The primary purpose of the second paragraph of the passage is to _______.

A. dismiss some alternative forms of energy that are unpopular with big business
B. show that there are not enough new alternatives for becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy
C. provide historical background for the problem of energy-dependence
 D. show the problems inherent in two sources of energy that could help us be come more energy-independent
 E. ridicule any attempt to solve the problem of energy-dependence that does not take into account consumption levels

Correct Answer: D,
 Explanation: In the 2nd paragraph author discusses two sources of energy, namely, Nuclear fuel and oil and discusses the problems associated with them, making D the best choice. 
Option A, C: Incorrect, not discussed in the passage.
Option B:Incorrect, as its the opposite of the argument, that the author is trying to portray in the 2nd para.
Option E: Incorrect, not such sentiment or criticism can be inferred from the paragraph.

Thanks.

Harsh9676 · Answer

Hi  jawele .

I think Option is not correct because option A clarifies and like the question asked "best characterizes" the author's opinion.

C is the second best option.

mimishyu · Answer

para1
though an alternative of oil and gas –biofuel- once thought by politicians to be a way for energy independence, however, the mineability of bios, to get it to meet the current consumption of a nation, still pose doubts to most critics
para2
beside biofuel, nuclear fuel source as a method to energy independence is still controversial, the road to environmentally oil exploiting to obtain energy is still far from being realized
para3
as that “consumption” matter more than “sources” of energy, to find a way in lowering the consumption of oil, the author recommend policy makers, by using taxation, to higher the price of gas to achieve our goal for energy independence
para4
the author offer another recommendation, apart from “the lowering of oil” in para3, to the road of energy independence, it is—transportation infrastructure overhaul, to which we move goods in a more efficient way in these more environmentally system
para5
though ways of achieving energy independence are given by the author in former paragraphs, there still pose lots of obstacles we need to overcome
para6
the whole passage end as by saying that, though there have seen a gradual change in people’s attitude, it’s the environmental consensus of public to change our lifestyle and habit that matter the most

1. What does the author of the passage believe  is most important for  lessening our need for foreign sources of energy?

A. The political courage of elected officials to make tough decisions.

its only in the first paragraph states that “elected officials are once thought of an alternative to oil—biofuel—to be a way of energy independence, nowhere in the passage says about political “courage” of elected officials

B. Civic responsibility on the part of the automotive industry.

para4 talks about transportation, but the specific one such as “automotive industry” show up nowhere in the paragraph as well as the whole passage

C. The willingness of consumers to change their habits.

…..correct
see the last paragraph 
Until enough of us make that connection and are willing to make a few lifestyle changes accordingly, we have no business complaining about our energy dependence on other countries.

D. A restructuring of the farming and trucking industries.

para4 mention about the overhaul of trucking industry, para5 says its consumer resistance that made ethanol cannot be widely used in farming industry, but these are all secondary in that the author place its strongest tone to achieve the goal of energy independence in the last paragraph, which, it is the habit, or say living style, that matter the most to energy independence

E. The development of safe alternatives to oil.

this idea mention in para2, however, same as (D), its just one of the factor that affect energy independence, not the most important one in the author’s tone per se

2. Which of the following best characterizes the author’s  opinion of ethanol ?

para1 
It is hard to find a politician who doesn’t have some sort of plan for energy independence, but we will never see true independence from foreign sources of energy without making the kind of sacrifices that elected officials are loath to mention. For example, virtually every politician campaigning for national office touts biofuels, especially ethanol, as a solution to our nation’s energy dependence. However, the actual energy that can be harvested from these sources is miniscule compared to our current level of consumption—about 20 million barrels of oil and gasoline per day.
….more fit to the author’s general opinion of ethanol

para5
The farming industry will do everything it can to push for the widespread use of ethanol and other plant-based fuels. But it is consumer resistance that most needs to be overcome. Too many of us believe that the guarantee of cheap fuel is an inalienable right, and balk at funding public transportation.
…..rather an author’s opinion, its better to say that this is just a subitem of all the obstacles the author mention in para5- the author that left us room to overcome and solve

or break down the logic by analyzing the context to make clear the cause and effect 
logic (1)
it is consumer resistance (A)
–lead to--> 
ethanol cannot be widely used in farming industry (B)

logic (2)
because ethanol cannot be harvested to meet our level of consumption (C)
–lead to-->
ethanol cannot be a solution to nation’s energy independence (D)

A. Despite its popularity with politicians, it will not have enough impact to substantially lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

….correct
effect (D) in logic (2) clearly correspond to this choice, thus this one be the correct choice
 
B. The influence of the farming industry will prevent it from becoming available to most consumers.

it is consumer resistance (A) lead to the effect of (B) in that ethanol cannot be widely used in farming industry, not what this choice (E) says of the influence of the farming industry will lead to ethanol can’t be available to consumer, we should notice the subtlety of logic here

C. It is the most practical of the various plant-based biofuels available.
D. Its use will play a small part in reducing our energy needs.

(C) and (D) are totally out of scope

E. It is unlikely to be useful as a way of our gaining energy independence because of consumer resistance to its use

consumer resistance in logic (1) of (A) is the effect of the cause (B) that “ethanol cannot be used in farming industry”, not (D), in which this choice (E) states

3. It can be inferred that the author believes that a tax increase on gasoline _______.

Thus, it is the level of consumption, rather than our sources of energy, that needs to change; putting our resources into developing alternative energy sources will only obscure this unavoidable fact. One way policymakers might affect the level of energy consumption is by  increasing taxes on gasoline . In accordance with the principles of a free-market economy, such as that of our own nation, if the price of gasoline were to double due to the addition of such taxes, oil consumption would drop by 3 to 5 million barrels per day.

A. is not feasible because politicians do not understand the issue enough to call for such a raise

para1 clearly says the awareness of energy independence is popular among politicians so this choice can’t be a correct one

B. will limit the transporting of goods by “big-box” retail outlets

from para5 we know that “big-box” retail outlets fight for gas tax hike is true, however whether it will limit the transporting of goods we don’t know for sure

C. will reduce our annual consumption by approximately 4 million gallons

notice the word “annul” here, its different from what the word “per day” in the last sentence “would drop by 3 to 5 million barrels per day” of para3

D. will only be possible after improvements have been made in automobile fuel efficiency

the passage doesn’t require order to the overhaul of automobile industry in para4 and the tax hike in para3

E. will use the fundamentals of free-market economics to address the problem of energy dependence
 
 ….correct
the last sentence of para3 “In accordance with the principles of a free-market economy, 
such as that of our own nation, if the price of gasoline were to double due to the addition of 
such taxes, oil consumption would drop by 3 to 5 million barrels per day.”, so its true that 
gas tax hike, by using the idea of free-market economy, could cope with the problem of 
energy dependence

4. The primary purpose of the second paragraph of the passage is to _______.

We need to take serious, even drastic, steps now. Nuclear fuel, despite all its promise, is understandably controversial, and the problem of dealing with radioactive waste will not go away anytime soon. We might find an acceptable method of drilling for oil in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Alaskan wilderness, but this too will take some time, and will only take us so far down the road to energy independence.

A. dismiss some alternative forms of energy that are unpopular with big business

out of scope

B. show that there are not enough new alternatives for becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy

though in para2 the author indeed mention some alternatives to traditional oil or gas exploiting, to which they’re not able to achieve our energy independence goal, however this is different from what (B) says of “there are not enough new alternatives for becoming less dependent on foreign sources of energy” since “enough” doesn’t a issue matter here, rather it puts emphasize on how to find a suitable alternative to the problem of energy independence

C. provide historical background for the problem of energy-dependence

“historical background” is totally out of scope here

D. show the problems inherent in two sources of energy that could help us become more energy-independent

….correct
in para2, the author take nuclear fuel and drilling oil as two example in order to show that these two examples, by its essence, are not enough to achieve our energy-independence goal

E. ridicule any attempt to solve the problem of energy-dependence that does not take into account consumption levels

in para3 there indeed says we need to consider the factor of consumption level, however it’s a little bit inappropriate if we use the verb “ridicule” to describe any attempt to energy independence that doesn’t take this factor into account

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It is hard to find a politician who doesn’t have some sort of plan

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