States hit hardest by losses in manufacturing jobs are in a

MentorTutoring

Can you pls explain this question

I chose C as the answer

Thanks in advance

Hello, GDT. The question is deceptively simple, perhaps the reason that, as of this writing, it stands at a 95% difficulty level. If you just follow the keywords, though, it is pretty straightforward. (I answered correctly in under a minute and a half, but as you know from our ongoing dialogue, I work on these upper-level questions all the time.) Since we need to fill in the blank, there is nothing to discuss, really, in the way of a question. Rather, we need to follow up on the premise that certain states are in a strong position to recover employment opportunities by expanding into the "green energy" sector. How so?


It seems fitting to use green to refer to renewable energy. There are two parts to this answer that make its justification ironclad. First, notice the word begin. I know it might seem insignificant, but the passage mentions expanding into a certain sector, adding that certain states can adapt quickly. Adapt what, you might ask. Whether you favor an interpretation that these states need to adapt to the loss of employment in manufacturing or to adapt their existing infrastructure and transportation systems to become more green, it is clear that change is in the air, and begin conveys such a change. The latter part, about renewable energy, completes the setup of expanding into the "green energy" sector. You could argue that the terms renewable energy and green energy are not well-established synonyms, requiring a little background knowledge to put together, but I think green associations have been discussed widely enough for long enough that we should probably feel pretty comfortable with such usage.

Why tax rebates specifically? The passage is concerned with shifting an existing manufacturing model into a greener one. The businesses would need to convert first, and tax rebates associated with such a change are not the primary consideration here.

I do not typically negate an entire answer choice, but this one just misses the mark. Because the conjunction and is being used just before the blank without a comma, we can conclude that it is joining two ideas, as in, A and B, rather than joining two independent clauses. What are the only two notions brought up in the passage? First, that certain states are well positioned to recover manufacturing jobs, and second, that jobs can be recovered by going green, more or less. The earlier part of the last sentence of the passage checks the box about certain states being in a position to recover, so this answer choice is redundant, failing to deliver on the why from the setup: once again, by expanding into the "green energy" sector.

If these states are already manufacturing such items yet jobs are being lost, then how will continuing the process make anything better? Like produces like. Just as I focused earlier on begin in choice (A), I think it is worth considering just what continue conveys here.

We are not concerned with the viability of green energy. Rather, the passage presents expanding into green energy as a ticket to recovering lost manufacturing jobs. Also, what are we to make of an aggressive research process? Can other states only conduct less aggressive research? Besides, unless the jobless manufacturing employees were conducting the research, then it is hard to see how this answer choice would help such workers recover employment opportunities in the immediate future.

I hope that helps. If you have further questions, feel free to ask.

- Andrew

Existing infrastructure and transportation systems put these states in a position to adapt quickly and __________________________________ .

what you will do by adapting to the available facilities ==> will start manufacturing the products first

the final effect will be to regain the lost jobs

So, the first event will be Option A

The premise states "to recover employment opportunities by expanding into the “green energy” sector." which means to begin something new. Only option A mentions to begin new manufacturation.