Question

Read the passage.

(1) With time and effort, we can replace fossil fuels with alternative sources of energy. (2) Alternative energy sources can help save the planet. (3) Unfortunately, most people use fossil fuels in their daily lives, so they will continue to use them unnecessarily. (4) Still, if enough citizens do their research and see the benefits of alternative energy, then we can turn the tide in our favor. (5) For example, using just 19 percent of unclaimed desert areas for solar installations could provide electricity for the entire nation. (6) If each individual who believes that alternative energy can make a difference takes a step away from fossil fuel use, then we can change the world.

Which sentences should be removed or revised to eliminate logical fallacies and improve clarity? Select two options.

sentence 1
sentence 2
sentence 3
sentence 4
sentence 5

Answer 1

Select sentence 3 and sentence 5.

- Sentence 3 is a hasty/generalizing claim and attributes motives without support ("they will continue to use them unnecessarily"). Revise to acknowledge complexity: e.g., "Although many people currently rely on fossil fuels, habits, infrastructure, and costs can make switching difficult."

- Sentence 5 makes a specific-sounding statistic but is vague and unsupported ("just 19 percent," "unclaimed desert areas," "the entire nation"). Either supply a citation and specify which nation and assumptions (storage, transmission, capacity factor), or rephrase more cautiously: e.g., "Some estimates suggest large-scale desert solar could meet national electricity needs, depending on technology and siting assumptions."