16Hit1600
Craft and StructureHardShared premise between an advocate and a sceptic

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 An architect argues that historic buildings should be reused rather than demolished, because the energy spent making their bricks, steel and timber is thrown away when they are torn down. Text 2 An engineer points out that many old buildings leak heat so badly that running them can cost more than replacing them. He grants, though, that demolition discards the 'embodied energy' of the original construction.

Based on the texts, the architect and the engineer would most likely agree with which statement?

  1. A. Demolishing an old building wastes the energy that went into building it.Correct
  2. B. Old buildings are always cheaper to run than new ones.
  3. C. Historic buildings should always be demolished.
  4. D. Reusing an old building is never worth the cost.

Answer: A. Demolishing an old building wastes the energy that went into building it.

The architect's central point is the wasted energy of demolition; the engineer 'grants' exactly that point.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Old buildings are always cheaper to run than new ones.
The engineer says the opposite — many old buildings cost more to run.
C. Historic buildings should always be demolished.
The architect opposes demolition, and the engineer only weighs it.
D. Reusing an old building is never worth the cost.
Neither text says reuse is never worthwhile.

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