Question

Which excerpt is the best example of an appeal to logos?

A. Some experts warned that the world could be on the verge of a "nightmare scenario" of cut-throat competition for the control of shrinking supplies.
B. Biofuels transferred over 100 million tons of cereals from plates to petrol tanks: to fill a 4 x 4 tank requires enough grain to feed a poor person for a year."
C. Back in 1974, Kissinger spoke of the "thin edge between hope and hunger." A generation on, it is time to take it seriously.
D. Robert Zoellick, president of the World Bank, warns that the rising prices are "a threat to global growth and social stability."

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Biofuels transferred over 100 million tons of cereals from plates to petrol tanks: to fill a 4 x 4 tank requires enough grain to feed a poor person for a year.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Aristoletian rethoric, Logos refers to the world of logic and reason. The message is reinforced by reason. For this purpose, we use objective information and data, supporting the argument with numbers and statistics; making direct reference to research, studies, and experiments; showing provable facts.

In contrast, Ethos refers to the credibility of the speaker, and Pathos relies on the emotions generated by the message and choice of words.

From the provided options, A, C, and D appeal to Ethos by refering to experts, and to Pathos by using words and phrases with a strong emotional charge, such as "nightmare scenario," "thin edge between hope and hunger," and "a threat to global growth and social stability."

Option B, however, focuses on the facts related to biofuels, the amount of grain required to fill a tank, and its feeding capabilities. All of these are provable facts.

Answer 2

B. Biofuels transferred over 100 million tons of cereals from plates to petrol tanks: to fill a 4 x 4 tank requires enough grain to feed a poor person for a year."

By saying this he uses logos, or logical reasoning by presenting facts and hard numbers the author makes the reader see how much is wasted or is used to fill a tank, is enough to end poverty worldwide.