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- Sat Mar 18, 2017 1:56 pm
#33532
Complete Question Explanation
Point of Agreement. The correct answer choice is (B)
In this dialogue, Pauline and Roger discuss the potential breaching of the hydroelectric dams on the river. Pauline begins, saying that if the dams are breached, as some environmentalists claim is necessary to save the salmon in the river, electrical costs in the region will significantly increase, considering the increases in population and industry. Given the fact that she begins her point about skyrocketing electric costs with a “but,” Pauline appears not entirely in favor of the breaches.
Roger responds by pointing out that since the dams are already producing at maximum capacity, the region will be in need of additional sources of energy regardless of what decision is made regarding the breaching of the dams.
The question that follows asks for the claim on which the two speakers agree, so the correct answer choice will be the one that is consistent with both speakers’ perspectives.
Answer choice (A): Pauline is concerned that if the dams are breached, the region’s electrical costs will skyrocket: this seems to imply that she does not predict compensation from other sources. Roger says that other sources are needed, but he does not comment on whether production can be increased to compensate. Since neither speaker would necessarily agree with this choice, it cannot be the right answer to this Point of Agreement question.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. This choice provides that there will be no significant decrease in demand for electricity in the region any time soon. Given Pauline’s references to the booming industry in the region and its increasing population, she is likely to agree with this claim. Similarly, Roger points out the need for additional sources of energy regardless what happens with the dams. This claim is clearly one with which both speakers would agree.
Answer choice (C): Roger’s point is that the dams are working at maximum capacity: they cannot possibly produce more energy, so the region will require additional energy sources regardless of whether the dams are breached. Pauline is concerned that breaching the dams would cause significant increases in regional electricity costs, but neither speaker comments on what might happen if the dams continue to operate at less than maximum capacity.
Answer choice (D): Pauline is the only speaker who mentions the environmentalists, and she doesn’t comment on this issue. Since neither speaker’s comments commit them to agreeing with this choice, it should be ruled out of contention in response to this Point of Agreement question.
Answer choice (E): Pauline asserts that breaching the dams would cause electricity costs to increase significantly, so she might agree with this claim. However, Roger merely points out that additional regional energy sources will have to be found. He does not speculate about what might happen to electrical costs as a result, making this answer choice relatively easy to eliminate.
Point of Agreement. The correct answer choice is (B)
In this dialogue, Pauline and Roger discuss the potential breaching of the hydroelectric dams on the river. Pauline begins, saying that if the dams are breached, as some environmentalists claim is necessary to save the salmon in the river, electrical costs in the region will significantly increase, considering the increases in population and industry. Given the fact that she begins her point about skyrocketing electric costs with a “but,” Pauline appears not entirely in favor of the breaches.
Roger responds by pointing out that since the dams are already producing at maximum capacity, the region will be in need of additional sources of energy regardless of what decision is made regarding the breaching of the dams.
The question that follows asks for the claim on which the two speakers agree, so the correct answer choice will be the one that is consistent with both speakers’ perspectives.
Answer choice (A): Pauline is concerned that if the dams are breached, the region’s electrical costs will skyrocket: this seems to imply that she does not predict compensation from other sources. Roger says that other sources are needed, but he does not comment on whether production can be increased to compensate. Since neither speaker would necessarily agree with this choice, it cannot be the right answer to this Point of Agreement question.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. This choice provides that there will be no significant decrease in demand for electricity in the region any time soon. Given Pauline’s references to the booming industry in the region and its increasing population, she is likely to agree with this claim. Similarly, Roger points out the need for additional sources of energy regardless what happens with the dams. This claim is clearly one with which both speakers would agree.
Answer choice (C): Roger’s point is that the dams are working at maximum capacity: they cannot possibly produce more energy, so the region will require additional energy sources regardless of whether the dams are breached. Pauline is concerned that breaching the dams would cause significant increases in regional electricity costs, but neither speaker comments on what might happen if the dams continue to operate at less than maximum capacity.
Answer choice (D): Pauline is the only speaker who mentions the environmentalists, and she doesn’t comment on this issue. Since neither speaker’s comments commit them to agreeing with this choice, it should be ruled out of contention in response to this Point of Agreement question.
Answer choice (E): Pauline asserts that breaching the dams would cause electricity costs to increase significantly, so she might agree with this claim. However, Roger merely points out that additional regional energy sources will have to be found. He does not speculate about what might happen to electrical costs as a result, making this answer choice relatively easy to eliminate.