Loading...
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.
Corn ethanol produces much less power per square meter of cultivated land than does sugarcane ethanol.
Ethanol is easier to produce from sugarcane than from corn.
There are no crops, other than corn, for producing ethanol that could viably be grown in the US.
Brazil has been very successful at replacing petroleum with ethanol.
Producing corn ethanol is a viable strategy for a nation intent on reducing dependence on petroleum.
| 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" |
|
1. "Corn ethanol produces much less power per square meter of cultivated land than does sugarcane ethanol."
2. "Ethanol is easier to produce from sugarcane than from corn."
3. "There are no crops, other than corn, for producing ethanol that could viably be grown in the US."
4. "Brazil has been very successful at replacing petroleum with ethanol."
5. "Producing corn ethanol is a viable strategy for a nation intent on reducing dependence on petroleum."
✓ Both selections supported by explicit statements
✓ Agreement choice acknowledged by both speakers
✓ Disagreement choice shows fundamental opposition
✓ No speculation or over-inference required