Two students in the debate club are preparing arguments for and against the use of nuclear energy. Each student will have five minutes to present an argument based on scientific evidence.

Question

The student who supports the use of nuclear energy is considered a proponent of nuclear energy.

The student who does not support the use of nuclear energy is considered an opponent of nuclear energy.

The proponent presents his argument first. His argument is based on the following key points.

Nuclear energy does not emit any greenhouse gases.
Nuclear energy does not contribute to global warming.
Next, the opponent presents his argument.

Which pair of key points is the opponent most likely to use in his argument against the use of nuclear energy? Nuclear energy creates acid fog and clouds.
Nuclear waste in the air harms trees.
Nuclear energy creates acid fog and clouds. Nuclear waste in the air harms trees.

Nuclear energy is not a renewable resource.
Nuclear energy releases gases into the atmosphere that deplete the ozone layer.
Nuclear energy is not a renewable resource. Nuclear energy releases gases into the atmosphere that deplete the ozone layer.

There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste.
Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.
There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste. Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.

Nuclear energy contaminates local water supplies.
Nuclear energy impacts climate change.

Answer 1

The opponent is most likely to use the following pair of key points in his argument against the use of nuclear energy:

There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste. Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.

These points effectively highlight the long-term dangers and logistical challenges associated with nuclear energy, focusing on the concern over radioactive waste, which is a significant issue in the debate about the sustainability and safety of nuclear energy.