The student wants to present a balanced view of vertical farming, noting both an advantage and a drawback. Which choice best uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

Question

A student took these notes for a presentation:
• Vertical farms grow crops in stacked layers indoors.
• They use up to 95 percent less water than traditional field farming.
• The energy needed for their artificial lighting can be costly.
• Whether they are worthwhile depends on local water and energy prices.

Accepted Answer

B. Although vertical farms can use up to 95 percent less water than field farming, the energy needed for their artificial lighting can be costly.. A balanced view needs both an upside and a downside. Only B pairs the water savings (advantage) with the costly lighting energy (drawback). C states only the advantage, A adds a benefit not in the notes, and D gives a conclusion without presenting the two sides.

Answer

A. Vertical farms grow crops in stacked layers indoors, saving space in crowded cities. — The space-saving benefit isn't in the notes at all, and even if it were, this sentence gives only an advantage with no drawback to balance it.

Answer

C. Vertical farms use up to 95 percent less water than traditional field farming. — This states the water-savings advantage accurately but stops there — a balanced view also needs the drawback about costly lighting energy.

Answer

D. Whether vertical farms are worthwhile depends on local water and energy prices. — This jumps to the conclusion that it depends on local prices without ever presenting the advantage and drawback the goal asks you to note.

Expression of Ideas practice question

Answer: B. Although vertical farms can use up to 95 percent less water than field farming, the energy needed for their artificial lighting can be costly.

Why the other answers are wrong

More Expression of Ideas questions