Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 33 | 100 RCs for GMAT PDF Download

In the third paragraph, the author states that "in accordance with the principles of a free-market economy, such as that of our own nation, if the price of gasoline were to double due to the addition of such taxes, oil consumption would drop ...".Therefore, the economic principles (fundamentals) of a free market economy can be used to lower prices, lessening our dependence.
(A): At no point are we told that politicians do not understand the issue. What we ARE told is that they are loath to mention the topic. In other words, they don't want to mention it.
(B): It may be that the author believes that these outlets will choose not to use as many trucks because of a raise in the gasoline tax, but not that they will limit the transportation of goods in general. They might use rail, ships, etc., for their transportation needs instead.
(C): The figures in the third paragraph refer to daily consumption, not annual.
(D): The author does not explicitly say or even imply that fuel efficiency must be improved before the gasoline tax is raised. For example, the reverse could be true; vehicles could become more fuel-efficient after the tax is increased.

We are told in the third paragraph that "it is the level of consumption, rather than our sources of energy, that needs to change." Furthermore, the fifth paragraph states that "it is consumer resistance that most needs to be overcome."
(A): We are told in the first paragraph that elected officials do not like to make unpopular decisions, but not that this is the most important factor in solving the problem of needing foreign energy.
(B): While the auto industry's role is discussed, its "civic responsibility" is never directly addressed.
(D): Both of these industries are mentioned, though a restructuring of the farming industry is not discussed.
(E): In the initial two paragraphs, alternatives to oil are discussed, but the emphasis in the passage is on changing consumption specifically, and not production and development.

In this paragraph, the author discusses nuclear fuel and drilling for oil in Alaska. They are both described as having potential, but are described as "controversial," and too time consuming.
(A): We are never told that the methods discussed in this paragraph are unpopular with big business.
(B):The author never says anywhere in the passage that there aren't enough alternatives. The number of alternatives is not the problem, according to the passage.
(C): These few lines do not provide historical background. They just mention two forms of procuring energy (using nuclear fuel and drilling in environmentally sensitive areas) that will not do the job of lessening our dependence on foreign energy.
(E): The Tone is not one of ridicule; this is too extreme. The author does dismiss the methods mentioned in this paragraph, but does not ridicule them as outrageous or silly.

The first paragraph states that "the actual energy that can be harvested from these sources (including ethanol) is miniscule." We are also told that "virtually every politician campaigning for national office touts biofuels, especially ethanol."
(B): Actually, the farming industry WANTS ethanol to be used, as the fifth paragraph makes clear.
(C): This comparison is never made. We are only told that it is "especially" touted by politicians.
(D): It might reduce our dependence on foreign energy, but we are not told that it would reduce our need for energy in general.
(E): No mention is made of consumers resisting the use of ethanol.