The demand for electricity in certain countries has been projected

Question

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

The demand for electricity in certain countries has
been projected recently to grow by 50 percent by the
year 2010. Unfortunately, the increased use of fossil
fuels to generate this electricity may ultimately damage
  (5)   human and environmental health. For example,
emissions of air pollutants in these countries are
expected to double over the next 25 years, even if
energy is used efficiently, so that local urban air quality
will likely deteriorate. Renewable sources of
  (10)   electricity, such as solar radiation, wind, and
waterpower, are possible solutions to the problems
caused by increasing demand for electricity. Unlike
fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are available in
virtually all geographic regions, and they allow
  (15)   electricity production without dangerous environ-
mental pollutants. Additionally, these sources can usually be
located closer to consumers than can plants that use
fossil fuels, thus reducing transmission and distribution
costs. Technologies for the successful long-term
  (20)   exploitation of these resources, however, are not
always implemented successfully.

In rural Brazil, for example, millions of citizens do
not have electricity, and the lack of necessary
infrastructure has limited efforts to provide it. In 1992,
  (25)   an energy agency from the United States developed a
joint project with two Brazilian states to install 800
household solar electrical systems and train local
personnel to service them. Under the project’s terms,
local utilities install, maintain, and own the systems,
  (30)   and collect fees from users. Backers hoped the project
would attract enough private investment for substantial
expansion throughout Brazil. But the project directors
rejected the relatively high bids of local Brazilian
companies to produce the solar collectors and thus
  (35)   missed an opportunity to stimulate local production.
Consequently, a short-term savings in start-up costs
precluded the long-term benefits deriving from the
development of local production capacity and
technological skill, which eventually would have led to
  (40)   independence from costly foreign expertise. As a
result, participating utilities can generate only enough
income to cover operating and maintenance costs,
which makes further investment and expansion
unlikely. Thus, the movement toward a sustainable,
  (45)   rural electricity system in Brazil remains stalled.

But some efforts have avoided these pitfalls. In the
mid-1980s, a Danish energy agency helped agencies in
India build three modern wind turbine plants and
gradually develop local technical capacity. Local
  (50)   participants were trained in planning, operation,
maintenance, and construction of turbines. Indian firms
subsequently began manufacturing turbines and, as
more locally manufactured equipment became
available, Indian utilities were able to increase their use
  (55)   of wind energy profitably. The success of these small
projects spurred enthusiasm; Indian utilities were soon
ordering more equipment and private investment in
wind energy surged. Because the Danish agency,
unlike its U.S. counterpart, recognized the importance
  (60)   of local involvement at all levels, the project has a
good chance of remaining competitive and profitable
for the long run.    1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

(A) While some later efforts to implement renewable energy systems have been plagued and eventually halted by economic conflicts, early renewable energy projects relying more heavily on local involvement enjoyed a larger degree of success.
(B) Investors in renewable energy projects should consider not only financial factors but also the potential gains in human and environmental health from using this technology—gains that are not always readily measurable.
(C) Renewable energy sources represent a promising means for addressing many countries’ energy demands and environmental concerns, but the necessary technologies can be implemented most effectively in countries that have continuing access to foreign investment or expertise.
(D) Though renewable energy sources represent a promising means for meeting the rising energy demands of certain countries, the exploitation of these resources is unlikely to succeed unless long-term, local participation at all levels is seen as integral to renewable energy projects.
(E) Certain types of renewable energy sources, such as wind-generated electricity systems, are more likely to be successful than other types, but continued investment and experimentation are necessary to establish which renewable energy projects will succeed.

2 
 2. 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?

(A) Despite previous difficulties, these systems can be implemented profitably in many countries.
(B) Though these systems do not produce pollutants, they must be seen as an impractical substitute for fossil-fuel systems.
(C) These systems would be more effectively employed in densely populated areas than in rural areas.
(D) These systems are more costly to install, operate, and maintain than are wind-energy systems.
(E) Until the long-term functioning of these systems is demonstrated, they cannot be considered a viable type of energy technology.

3 
 3. The author mentions which one of the following in the passage?

(A) a specific example of an energy-generating system that relies on fossil fuels
(B) an example of a project that successfully utilized the local manufacture of equipment
(C) an example of the added transmission costs incurred by a specific fossil-fuel energy plant
(D) the approximate size of a community that can be served by a modern wind turbine plant
(E) the approximate number of years it takes to develop local technical capacity to generate energy from renewable sources

4 
 4. The author’s attitude toward the directors of the Brazil project can most accurately be described as

(A) disapproving of their heavy dependence on private investment
(B) surprise at their lack of faith in the quality of local technological expertise
(C) critical of their lack of foresight in overemphasizing the importance of reducing short-term costs
(D) outrage at their favoring profit over humanitarian goals
(E) doubtful of their desire to implement a successful solar electrical system in Brazil

5 
 5. In the passage, the author is primarily concerned with

(A) summarizing the reasons why renewable energy resources should be used and explaining why certain promising technologies cannot be implemented profitably
(B) arguing for the advantages of renewable energy resources and illustrating with examples what factors will favor their successful implementation
(C) illustrating the advantages of adopting renewable energy resources by summarizing how they have been implemented in the past
(D) comparing and contrasting two types of renewable energy technology and giving examples of the benefits and drawbacks of each
(E) discussing two types of renewable energy resources and analyzing why one is more easily implemented than the other

6 
 6. The author’s discussion in lines 5–9 is intended primarily to

(A) substantiate the claim that the demand for electricity will climb 50 percent by the year 2010
(B) undermine the claim that efficient energy use is an effective means of addressing environmental problems caused by increased energy demand
(C) specify the time frame within which it will be necessary to develop renewable energy technology
(D) offer evidence for the claim that fossil fuels are a problematic source of electricity
(E) foreshadow a claim concerning the need for localized involvement in environmentally sound technological development

7 
 7. Which one of the following, if true, would most call into question the author’s assertion in the last sentence of the passage?

(A) The profitability of the India project was due primarily to temporary subsidies from the Indian government.
(B) The Danish energy agency invested more funds in the India project than the U.S. agency invested in the Brazil project.
(C) Indian firms are not required to limit user fees charged to consumers.
(D) Environmental pollutants are produced in the manufacture of some equipment used in wind turbines.
(E) New technology is poised to decrease sharply the level of pollutants produced by fossil-fuel plants.

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 41   
 Difficulty Level:   545

RC Butler 2021  -  Practice Two RC Questions Everyday.   
Passage # 295 Date: 27-Jul-2021
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2021 .  Click here for Details

Nirmesh83 · Answer

1.D - Author is emphasing about local participation for success of renewal projects.(india V/s Brazil)
2.E - Technologies for the successful long-term
(20) exploitation of these resources, however, are not
always implemented successfully.
3 B - wind mill in India
4.C - Consequently, a short-term savings in start-up costs
precluded the long-term benefits deriving
5.B factors affecting successful localisation/implementation
6.D - evident from line
7.A Alternate reason for initial profitability

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Makhabbat · Answer

Hello! Can explain 2 and 7, please?

Bhu750 · Answer

I am not an expert but you can see if my explanation helps,

2. 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?

Based on the information in the passage - so what the author believes must be inferred(Must be true) from the passage:

(A) Despite previous difficulties, these systems can be implemented profitably in many countries.
The author states that the solar project could not be implemented in Brazil because of the US firm's concern for short term cost factors.
The author also cites another example to show where the Danish firm did not bother about short term costs and involved the Indians at all level including production which made the project successful.
The last para, last line author mentions "Because the Danish agency, unlike its U.S. counterpart, recognized the importance of local involvement at all levels, the project has a good chance of remaining competitive and profitable for the long run."
which means the author still believes there is a chance for successful implementation of solar project if the focus is not on short term costs but on transfer of knowledge and technology to locals.

(C) These systems would be more effectively employed in densely populated areas than in rural areas.
There is no mention of the population density in the paragraph

(E) Until the long-term functioning of these systems is demonstrated, they cannot be considered a viable type of energy technology.
The author mentions the wind energy project was successful because demand for wind energy and private investments surged. But the author does not mention anywhere for how long these were in production/operation. Maybe wind energy was in use only for 5 years because the blades got depreciated quickly. So the success in long run is not a determinant of the viability. In fact the author considers successful implementation will produce long term benefits. It is not the other way round where long term benefits determines the viability.

7. Which one of the following, if true, would most call into question the author’s assertion in the last sentence of the passage?
" Because the Danish agency, unlike its U.S. counterpart, recognized the importance of local involvement at all levels, the project has a good chance of remaining competitive and profitable for the long run."

So in the last line the author has shown the Danish wind energy project as an example for a project to be competitive and profitable. We need to weaken this.

(A) The profitability of the India project was due primarily to temporary subsidies from the Indian government.
So the India project was not after all profitable. This is perfect. It weakens the claim of the project being profitable

(D) Environmental pollutants are produced in the manufacture of some equipment used in wind turbines.
The author does not mention Environmental pollution in the last line. He only states competitiveness and profitability.
The project might still be competitive and profitable and maybe who knows the pollution from manufacture might even be lesser than fossil fuels pollution. But anyway we need not bother about that. It is out of scope.

WiziusCareers1 · Answer

This passage explores the implementation of renewable energy technologies in developing nations, contrasting a failed project in Brazil with a successful one in India to argue that local involvement and infrastructure development are the keys to long-term sustainability.

1. This is a Main Point question.  It requires identifying the overarching thesis that connects the need for renewable energy with the specific lessons learned from the Brazil and India case studies.
 A) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  While it mentions local involvement, it  incorrectly characterizes the projects as "early" vs. "later."  The passage focuses on the strategy of implementation (local vs. foreign), not the chronological order of when the projects were conceived in history.
 B) Incorrect - True but Irrelevant:  The author would agree that health benefits are important (lines 4–9), but this isn't the main point of the passage. The core argument is about how to make these projects succeed and expand through local participation.
 C) Incorrect - Opposite:  The  passage actually argues against a permanent reliance on foreign expertise.  It suggests that while foreign agencies can help start a project, long-term success requires independence from foreign expertise (lines 39–40).
 D) Correct - Main Point:  This choice perfectly captures the "Big Picture." It acknowledges the promise of renewables (Paragraph 1) and correctly identifies the author’s primary lesson: success depends on "long-term, local participation at all levels" (Paragraphs 2 and 3).
 E) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  The passage  does not aim to prove that wind is inherently "better" than solar.  Instead, it uses wind (India) and solar (Brazil) as vehicles to compare implementation strategies.

2. This is an Inference question.  We must find a statement about solar electrical systems that is supported by the author's logic, specifically regarding the Brazil example.
 A) Correct - Inference:  In Paragraph 2, the author explains why the Brazil project stalled (lack of local involvement and short-term cost-cutting). By implication, if those specific errors were corrected, these systems could be implemented profitably, just as the wind systems were in India.
 B) Incorrect - Opposite:  The author advocates for renewable energy (lines 9–12) as a solution to fossil fuel problems. Calling them "impractical"  contradicts the author's clear pro-renewable stance .
 C) Incorrect - Out of Scope:   The passage mentions that renewable plants can be located closer to consumers (lines 16–18), but it  never claims solar is more effective in cities than rural areas.  In fact, the Brazil example is specifically about a rural project.
 D) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  The passage  never compares the specific costs of solar vs. wind . It only discusses the cost-benefit analysis of local vs. foreign production.
 E) Incorrect - Extreme Language:  The author believes these technologies are viable; the issue discussed is the method of implementation, not the uncertainty of the technology itself.

3. This is a Detail/Retrieval question.  We need to identify which specific piece of information is explicitly mentioned in the text.
 A) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  The passage mentions fossil fuel emissions and plants, but it  never names a "specific example" of a system  (like a coal-fired plant in a specific city).
 B) Correct - True:  This is  explicitly mentioned in the India example.  Lines 51–53 state: "Indian firms subsequently began manufacturing turbines..."
 C) Incorrect - Out of Scope/Distorted Details:  While the author mentions that renewables can reduce transmission costs (lines 17–19),  no specific dollar amount or specific fossil-fuel plant's costs are provided .
 D) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  The passage mentions "three modern wind turbine plants," but it  never specifies the population size or "approximate size of a community" they serve. 
 E) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  The passage says the India project started in the "mid-1980s," but it  doesn't give a general rule for the number of years required to develop capacity.

4. This is an Author’s Attitude question.  We need to characterize how the author feels about the decisions made by the Brazil project directors.
 A) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  The author actually notes that the  directors failed to attract private investment because the project wasn't profitable  (lines 41–44). The critique isn't about "dependence" on it, but the failure to foster it.
 B) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  The directors didn't necessarily lack "faith" in quality; they  were focused on "short-term savings" (line 36). 
 C) Correct - Inference:  This  aligns with lines 35–40 . The author blames "short-term savings in start-up costs" for the loss of "long-term benefits." The word "critical" accurately reflects the author's tone in describing this "missed opportunity."
 D) Incorrect - Extreme Language:   "Outrage" is too strong for this academic passage . Furthermore, the author argues that the directors' failure to prioritize local production actually hurt their profits, so "profit over humanitarian goals" is a mischaracterization.
 E) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  The author  doesn't doubt their desire to succeed , but rather their judgment and strategy.

5. This is a Primary Purpose question.  It asks why the author wrote the passage and what they are trying to achieve.
 A) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  The author  doesn't say these technologies cannot be implemented profitably ; they argue they can be if done correctly (like in India).
 B) Correct - Primary Purpose:  The first paragraph establishes the advantages of renewables. The rest of the passage uses the Brazil and India examples to illustrate the "factors" (local involvement, manufacturing) that lead to success.
 C) Incorrect - Recycled Language/Too Narrow:  This choice is  partially true but lacks the "argument" element.  The author isn't just "summarizing"; they are using the history to advocate for a specific implementation strategy.
 D) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  The author  isn't primarily comparing "solar vs. wind";  they are comparing "local-focused implementation vs. foreign-dependent implementation."
 E) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  Again, the  focus is not on the type of energy resource , but on the method of project management.

6. This is a Logical Function question.  It asks why the author included the information about air pollutants and deteriorating air quality.
 A) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  Lines 5–9 provide the consequences of the demand; they don't "substantiate" the 50% growth figure itself.
 B) Incorrect - Distorted Details:  The author mentions that even with efficient use, pollutants will double. This isn't to "undermine" efficiency, but to show that efficiency alone isn't enough—we need a change in the energy source (renewables).
 C) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  While it mentions "25 years," the primary goal isn't to set a deadline, but to illustrate a problem.
 D) Correct - Logical Function:  The author mentions deteriorating air quality and human health risks to explain why "increased use of fossil fuels" is a problem, which sets the stage for the "possible solutions" (renewables) introduced in line 9.
 E) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  This section is about the problem (fossil fuels). The claim about local involvement doesn't appear until much later in the passage.

7. This is a Weaken question.  We must find a fact that makes the author's conclusion in the final sentence—that the India project is successful and competitive because of local involvement—less likely to be true.
 A) Correct - Weaken:   The author concludes the India project succeeded because of "local involvement at all levels." If the success was actually due to "temporary subsidies" from the government, it undermines the claim that the strategy of local involvement was the true cause of its profitability and competitiveness.
 B) Incorrect - True but Irrelevant:  The  amount of money invested doesn't necessarily disprove  that local involvement was the key factor in the project's long-term sustainability.
 C) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  Being allowed to charge high fees might help profitability, but it  doesn't address the author's specific argument about "local involvement" and "technical capacity." 
 D) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  The author already admitted fossil fuels are "problematic." Finding some pollution in turbine manufacturing doesn't change the fact that they are less damaging than fossil fuels, nor does it affect the argument about local involvement.
 E) Incorrect - Out of Scope:  New fossil fuel technology might make fossil fuels better, but  it doesn't change the reason why the India wind project was successful compared to the Brazil solar project.

The demand for electricity in certain countries has been projected

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The demand for electricity in certain countries has been projected

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