Alfredo: The United States could make significant progress toward becoming independent of petroleum-derived gasoline as a source of energy by...
GMAT Two Part Analysis : (TPA) Questions
Alfredo: The United States could make significant progress toward becoming independent of petroleum-derived gasoline as a source of energy by diverting a large proportion of corn grown in the US to the production of ethanol for fuel. Brazil is virtually independent of petroleum as a source of fuel because that country has been very successful in ethanol production.
Mavis: Ethanol derived from corn will never be a viable substitute for petroleum-derived gasoline in the US. While it is true that Brazil has been very successful in replacing gasoline with ethanol, Brazil's ethanol is derived from sugarcane, which is very easy to convert to ethanol and, in Brazil, very easy to cultivate. Corn, on the other hand, is difficult to grow, requiring intensive cultivation. Also, the amount of power that can be garnered from the land is much less per square meter for corn ethanol.
In the table, select the statement about which Alfredo and Mavis would most clearly agree and select the statement about which Alfredo and Mavis would most clearly disagree. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Phase 1: Owning the Dataset
Argument Analysis Table
| Passage Statement | Analysis & Implications |
|---|---|
| Alfredo: "The US could make significant progress toward becoming independent of petroleum-derived gasoline...by diverting...corn...to...ethanol" |
|
| Alfredo: "Brazil is virtually independent of petroleum...because...very successful in ethanol production" |
|
| Mavis: "Ethanol derived from corn will never be a viable substitute for petroleum-derived gasoline in the US" |
|
| Mavis: "While it is true that Brazil has been very successful in replacing gasoline with ethanol..." |
|
| Mavis: "Brazil's ethanol is derived from sugarcane, which is very easy to convert...and...very easy to cultivate" |
|
| Mavis: "Corn...is difficult to grow, requiring intensive cultivation...power...is much less per square meter" |
|
Key Patterns Identified
- Agreement Point: Both speakers explicitly acknowledge Brazil's success with ethanol
- Disagreement Point: Viability of corn ethanol for US energy independence
- Mavis's Distinction: Brazil's success stems from sugarcane advantages, not transferable to corn
- Alfredo's Assumption: Brazil's success proves ethanol concept works, regardless of source crop
Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking
Understanding Each Part
- Part 1 (Agree): We need a statement both speakers would accept as true
- Part 2 (Disagree): We need a statement where they hold opposite positions
- Relationship: These represent the common ground and the fundamental conflict
Valid Inferences from Analysis
- Agreement Candidates:
- Brazil has succeeded with ethanol (both explicitly state this)
- Ethanol can replace petroleum in some contexts (both acknowledge Brazil did it)
- Disagreement Candidates:
- Corn ethanol viability for US (Alfredo: yes, Mavis: no)
- Whether crop source matters for ethanol success (Alfredo: no, Mavis: yes)
Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation
Choice Analysis
1. "Corn ethanol produces much less power per square meter of cultivated land than does sugarcane ethanol."
- What it claims: Corn ethanol is less efficient than sugarcane ethanol
- Fact Support: Mavis explicitly states this
- Alfredo's Position: Doesn't address this comparison
- Verdict: Can't determine agreement/disagreement - Alfredo silent on this
2. "Ethanol is easier to produce from sugarcane than from corn."
- What it claims: Sugarcane conversion is easier
- Fact Support: Mavis states sugarcane is "very easy to convert"
- Alfredo's Position: Doesn't compare conversion difficulty
- Verdict: Can't determine - Alfredo doesn't address this
3. "There are no crops, other than corn, for producing ethanol that could viably be grown in the US."
- What it claims: Corn is the only US ethanol option
- Fact Support: Neither speaker makes this claim
- Verdict: Not supported - pure speculation
4. "Brazil has been very successful at replacing petroleum with ethanol."
- What it claims: Brazil achieved ethanol success
- Fact Support: Alfredo: "Brazil is virtually independent...very successful"
- Fact Support: Mavis: "it is true that Brazil has been very successful"
- Verdict: Clear AGREEMENT - both explicitly affirm this
5. "Producing corn ethanol is a viable strategy for a nation intent on reducing dependence on petroleum."
- What it claims: Corn ethanol works for energy independence
- Alfredo's Position: US could make "significant progress" with corn ethanol
- Mavis's Position: Corn ethanol "will never be a viable substitute"
- Verdict: Clear DISAGREEMENT - directly opposing views
Final Selection
- Agree: "Brazil has been very successful at replacing petroleum with ethanol"
- Disagree: "Producing corn ethanol is a viable strategy for a nation intent on reducing dependence on petroleum"
Verification
✓ Both selections supported by explicit statements
✓ Agreement choice acknowledged by both speakers
✓ Disagreement choice shows fundamental opposition
✓ No speculation or over-inference required