Question

Water from California’s northern mountains is pumped south along a 400-mile canal through the farming communities of the Central Valley. Not only is this canal system a marvel of modern engineering, its water fuels the state’s economic engine. In 2006, these farms produced $31 billion-worth of food and fiber, more than any other state. By contrast, world-wide ticket sales of Hollywood movies, a more famous export of California, totaled $25 billion that year.
1
What inference can the reader make from this paragraph?
A.
The writer thinks moving water to the Central Valley is a good investment.
B.
The author thinks it is more important to eat than go to movies.
C.
The movie industry is more important to California than farming.
D.
Water is a precious resource and shouldn't be wasted on making movies.

Answer 1

A. The writer presents the canal and its water as economically valuable (calling it a "marvel" that "fuels the state's economic engine" and citing higher farm revenue than movie ticket sales), implying moving water south is a good investment.