Use the passage to answer the question.

Question

Claim: Biomass, or organic matter used as fuel, is an excellent source of clean and renewable energy. It generates far fewer emissions than fossil fuels and reduces our nation’s reliance on foreign energy sources.
Counterclaim: Most biomass is produced by burning wood, and since wood is a less energy-dense fuel, it creates more carbon emissions than coal does when producing electricity.
The student who wrote the claim is developing a revised claim as a rebuttal to the counterclaim. Which is the best revision?

(1 point)
Responses

One type of biomass, that is charcoal produced from plant material,r, can also be used for enriching soil, as it prevents pesticides from leaching and running off.
One type of biomass, that is charcoal produced from plant material,r, can also be used for enriching soil, as it prevents pesticides from leaching and running off.

Only two percent of the world’s energy is produced using biomass, so we are unawa

Answer 1

The best revision for the claim as a rebuttal to the counterclaim would focus on addressing the concerns raised about carbon emissions from biomass compared to fossil fuels. Therefore, none of the provided responses seem to directly counter the counterclaim effectively. A good rebuttal would acknowledge the concerns about wood burning but highlight advancements in biomass technology, sustainable practices in biomass sourcing, or the overall carbon cycle benefits of biomass usage compared to fossil fuels.

For educational purposes, a suitable revision could be:

"While it's true that burning wood can produce carbon emissions, advancements in biomass technology, such as gasification and anaerobic digestion, can significantly reduce emissions and increase efficiency, making biomass a more sustainable energy alternative in the long run."

This addresses the counterclaim while reinforcing the benefits of biomass as a renewable energy source.