Question

adapted from checking the waste: study in conservation by mary huston gregory
we are often told that there is no need for anxiety about the future, as new discoveries and inventions will take the place of the present fuels. this may be true, and in a way, the future must take care of itself. but until new inventions have actually been made, it is terrible to waste present resources and blindly trust that time will make our folly appear as good judgment and foresight.
although we have vast mineral resources unused, the resources are steadily and forever diminishing. we should take only our part of the store and leave the rest untouched and unspoiled for those who are to come after us. mineral resources have done a lot for our country in the last fifty years. it is only by having cheap and abundant coal, iron, and copper that our railroads, our various electric systems, and our great factories have been developed. thus, it is our duty to give the coming generations an equal opportunity to develop their ideas with the help of mineral resources.
3
which of these can the reader infer from the passage?
a. the author cares about the about future generations.
b. the author feels that minerals will get expensive in the future.
c. the author has a passion for studying minerals.
d. the author thinks that nothing can replace existing fuels.

Explanation:

The passage mentions leaving some mineral resources untouched for future - comers, indicating the author's concern for future generations. There is no mention of minerals getting expensive, the author's passion for studying minerals, or the irreplaceability of existing fuels.

Answer:

A. The author cares about the about future generations.