Question

a recent proposal to build a biomass energy facility near clatz peak could provide several benefits to our city. first, it will create hundreds of full - time jobs. the energy facility, which requires space and raw materials that are available in our region, will greatly reduce unemployment among skilled workers. with a higher rate of employment, our local economy will be revived, enabling more citizens to work locally rather than move or commute to larger cities for work.
the biomass facility will also make use of readily available forest products, generating an additional source of revenue for the city. the proposed facility would use wood scraps, bark, tree branches, and stumps that would ordinarily be discarded. from these raw materials, the plant would manufacture wood pellets and other products. because there are numerous lumber mills in the area, which produce hundreds of tons of wood scraps each year, clatz peak is an ideal location. the city can utilize “leftovers” from the logging industry to produce profit. materials that are considered virtually useless could be used to create both revenue and tangible products for use by ordinary citizens.
finally, our town will adopt more environmentally responsible ways of living and working. traditional power sources are not only finite, but release damaging quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. biomass energy sources, or biofuels, do not carry this hazard and therefore can play a role in preserving rather than harming the environment.
part a
what is the author’s main argument in favor of building a biomass energy facility?

1. it will improve the local economy.
2. it will consume available resources.
3. it will put lumber mills out of business.

part b
choose two claims that support the correct answer from part a.

1. “a biomass energy facility near clatz peak could provide several benefits to our city” (paragraph 1)
2. “first, it will create hundreds of full - time jobs.” (paragraph 1)
3. “clatz peak is an ideal location” (paragraph 2)
4. “the city can utilize ‘leftovers’ from the logging industry to produce profit.” (paragraph 2)
5. “finally, our town will adopt more environmentally responsible ways of living and working.” (paragraph 3)

Explanation:

For Part A, the author opens by stating the facility provides multiple benefits, then elaborates on economic, resource-use, and environmental advantages, with the core positive impact being local economic improvement. For Part B, we need statements that directly support the main argument:

• Statement 2 supports the economic benefit (job creation, a key part of local economy improvement).
• Statement 5 supports the environmental benefit, which is one of the cited advantages of the facility.

Statement 1 is the introductory claim of benefits, not supporting evidence. Statements 3 and 4 are details about location and resource use that support sub-points, not the overarching main argument as directly as 2 and 5.

Answer:

Part A

1. It will improve the local economy.

Part B

1. "First, it will create hundreds of full-time jobs." (Paragraph 1)
2. "Finally, our town will adopt more environmentally responsible ways of living and working." (Paragraph 3)