Q20

[deedubbew]

I chose E instead of D. Can someone help?

[ohthatpatrick]

For a question asking about the function of a paragraph, there are two things I always do:

1. Remind myself of the Passage Map

2. See if the first sentence (the transition sentence) of the paragraph we're being asked about gives a decent summary of what that paragraph is trying to do.

====

1. What was each paragraph good for?

P1 - introduced the two sides to the scale and described what Neoclassical is all about

P2 - described what Steady State is all about

P3 - present a little back and forth debate between the two about exceeding our equilibrium and slowing down / putting a cap on growth.

2. Is the transition sentence helpful?
In this case, not really. It's really long and we only really get its function as we read the rest of the paragraph.

So, approaching the answers, I want something to the effect of
"Last paragraph has a claim by SS that we've exceeded the limit and should stop growing, a rebuttal by Neo, and then a counter-rebuttal by SS."

(A) "contradicts" is way too strong and unsupported

(B) "illustrates the weakness" is way too opinionated and unsupported (the author never really chooses a favorite, but implicitly the author seems to favor SS, the new school)

(C) again, this makes the author seem like he favors Neo, but there's no support for that in the passage.

The easiest way to tell (D) and (E) apart is their common denominator: "the basic goal an economy must meet".

Is there something like that in the last paragraph?
Yes, lines 48-49 "the satisfaction of human wants"

(D) is saying that Neo thinks SS will ruin that goal, but SS identifies an additional way to achieve the goal.

(E) is saying that Neo and SS have differing views on the basic goal an economy must meet. That seems to be contradicted by lines 44-49.

Both SS and Neo agree that "what is required of any economy" is the satisfaction of human wants.

Neo argues that if we limit/halt growth, we'll no longer be able to satisfy human wants. SS replies that if we turn our focus to conservation, we can get more out of what we have "without sacrificing the ability to satisfy the wants of producers and consumers" (last sentence).

Hope this helps.

[lugar.choi]

I still confused with (D) as I do not see the first part of the answer "It notes an objection to implementing the policies of the NEW economic school..."

The last paragraph starts with steady-state economies opinion, which is the new economic school. These "some" steady state economists aren't objecting to other steady state economists' policies....right? At least it sure doesn't seem that way to me. Help?

I see the second part of the answer "...identifies an additional policy (conservation) that can help avoid that objection and still meet the goal an economy (satisfying human wants) must meet."

[jwms]

You're right that it's a little tricky with the 'noted objection', but look at line 44: "In response to the warnings from neoclassical economists..." That is the noted objection.