Question

Question 1

Refer to your Expeditions in Reading book for a complete version of this text.

Part A

The author’s purpose in “Solar-Powered Public Buildings? Not So Fast, California!” is to convince readers that converting public buildings to use solar power will be too expensive.

How effective is the author in achieving this purpose? ineffective, because the author provides only personal opinions about increasing solar power
ineffective, because the author provides only personal opinions about increasing solar power

ineffective, because the author fails to provide the total number of buildings in California
ineffective, because the author fails to provide the total number of buildings in California

effective, because the author provides the actual cost of converting public buildings to solar power
effective, because the author provides the actual cost of converting public buildings to solar power

effective, because the author reveals the dangers of using solar power in public buildings

Part B

Which evidence from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

“That is what California does with its solar electricity. Except California’s mistake does not cost $60. California’s mistake costs millions.”
“That is what California does with its solar electricity. Except California’s mistake does not cost $60. California’s mistake costs millions.”

“Even if every building could run on a small 10 kilowatt solar panel system—and most cannot—the move to solar power would cost between $22,000 and $29,000 per building (Matasci).”
“Even if every building could run on a small 10 kilowatt solar panel system—and most cannot—the move to solar power would cost between $22,000 and $29,000 per building (Matasci).”

“Right now, California generates quite a bit of solar electricity. In March of 2017, there were days when 40 percent of the state’s electricity came from solar energy (Franz).”
“Right now, California generates quite a bit of solar electricity. In March of 2017, there were days when 40 percent of the state’s electricity came from solar energy (Franz).”

“Excess solar electricity can overload power lines. Overloaded power lines lead to power blackouts. Blackouts are inconvenient for people and harmful to businesses. They must be avoided.”

Answer 1

The author is effective in arguing that solar power conversion is expensive if they provide actual costs, with evidence such as detailed financial data making the claim more persuasive.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effectiveness of the author in achieving the purpose of convincing readers that converting public buildings to use solar power will be too expensive can be determined by analyzing if the author provides substantial evidence or relies only on opinions. If the author effectively provides the actual cost of converting public buildings to solar power supported by valid data and analysis, then the author's argument could be considered effective. Otherwise, if the author merely provides personal opinions without empirical evidence or fails to address critical factors such as the total number of buildings, the argument could be deemed ineffective.

Based on the given options, saying the author is effective because they "provide the actual cost of converting public buildings to solar power" would be a logical choice if the text indeed includes concrete figures and reliable information. The statement "Even if every building could run on a small 10 kilowatt solar panel system—and most cannot—the move to solar power would cost between $22,000 and $29,000 per building (Matasci)" would be the supporting evidence since it presents specific financial data.