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Calculating hydroelectric plants' environmental impact is not simple.
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Updated on: 12 May 2021, 08:41
Updated on: 12 May 2021, 08:41
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Question 1
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Question Stats:
36% (02:14) correct
64% (02:18) wrong based on 89 sessions
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Question 2
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Question Stats:
37% (01:03) correct
63% (00:58) wrong based on 65 sessions
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Calculating hydroelectric plants' environmental impact is not simple. Dam building requires steel and cement, the manufacture of which entails greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates for these emissions are relatively straightforward to make and show that the consequences are small compared to the benefits of generating greenhouse gas-free hydroelectric power. But more difficult-to-estimate greenhouse gas contributions occur during the plants operation. The submerging of large areas behind dams results in the microbial decomposition of vegetation, which produces substantial quantities of methane—a potent greenhouse gas. Furthermore, eradicating vegetation eliminates the consumption of the greenhouse gas CO2 by that vegetation. Estimating amounts of these gases is difficult, and amounts vary depending upon the specific location, terrain, and power intensity of the dam with its associated lake.
1. The author would most likely agree with which of the following assertions about the environmental impact of hydroelectric power plants?
A) It cannot be inferred from calculations of the environmental impact of a few hydroelectric plants.
B) It is not primarily determined by the effects of dam building on vegetation.
C) It cannot be calculated with sufficient accuracy to justify the requirement of environmental impact studies prior to plant construction.
D) It could be significantly improved if the amounts of steel and cement used for dam building could be decreased.
E) It is too substantial, when all factors are considered, to justify the building of new dams.
2. The highlighted sentence serves primarily to
A) support a claim made at the beginning of the passage
B) acknowledge a problem inherent in a particular kind of calculation
C) anticipate and respond to a possible criticism of the author’s overall argument
D) introduce a problem that will be explored later in the passage
E) point out an exception to a general claim
A) It cannot be inferred from calculations of the environmental impact of a few hydroelectric plants.
B) It is not primarily determined by the effects of dam building on vegetation.
C) It cannot be calculated with sufficient accuracy to justify the requirement of environmental impact studies prior to plant construction.
D) It could be significantly improved if the amounts of steel and cement used for dam building could be decreased.
E) It is too substantial, when all factors are considered, to justify the building of new dams.
2. The highlighted sentence serves primarily to
A) support a claim made at the beginning of the passage
B) acknowledge a problem inherent in a particular kind of calculation
C) anticipate and respond to a possible criticism of the author’s overall argument
D) introduce a problem that will be explored later in the passage
E) point out an exception to a general claim
Re: Calculating hydroelectric plants' environmental impact is not simple.
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03 May 2021, 18:43
03 May 2021, 18:43
2
1. For the first one, I was told that A is the correct answer. Please help explain A and C.
2. For the second one, I was told that C is the correct answer. Please help explain C and E.
Thank you!
2. For the second one, I was told that C is the correct answer. Please help explain C and E.
Thank you!
GRE Prep Club Team Member
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Re: Calculating hydroelectric plants' environmental impact is not simple.
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04 May 2021, 05:13
04 May 2021, 05:13
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Expert Reply
xdong99 wrote:
1. For the first one, I was told that A is the correct answer. Please help explain A and C.
2. For the second one, I was told that C is the correct answer. Please help explain C and E.
Thank you!
2. For the second one, I was told that C is the correct answer. Please help explain C and E.
Thank you!
For 1
C) It cannot be calculated with sufficient accuracy to justify the requirement of environmental impact studies prior to plant construction.
C suggest that once we constructed the plant we can calculate the environmental impact while the whole passage didn't suggest anything such as that is why C is wrong and A is correct and can safely by deducted from the passage.
For 2
E) point out an exception to a general claim
The use of word "exception" make this option wrong, read the bold text again with full concentration, it says:
Estimates for these emissions are relatively straightforward to make and show that the consequences are small compared to the benefits of generating greenhouse gas-free hydroelectric power.
This is not an exception to what is stated in the passage except that this bold text. This bold text present a related information it didn't suggest that "Estimates for these emissions are relatively straightforward to calculate the environmental impact rather it says straightforward to show that the consequences are small.
That is why E is wrong here.
