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Difficulty: MediumTwo-Speaker Dialogues (Point at Issue)

Read the following dialogue.

Agronomist: The widespread adoption of indoor vertical farming is essential if we are to achieve global food security in the coming decades. By isolating crops from unpredictable weather patterns and drastically reducing water consumption, vertical farms can guarantee consistent harvests year-round, effectively insulating our food supply from the devastating agricultural impacts of climate change.

Economist: There is no denying that vertical farming is highly efficient in its use of land and water. However, its immense electricity requirements for artificial lighting and climate control make it financially unsustainable on a global scale. We cannot build a secure global food supply on a system that is so uniquely vulnerable to energy market shocks.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the point at issue between the agronomist and the economist?

  1. A
    Whether vertical farms utilize water and land resources more efficiently than conventional agricultural methods.
  2. B
    Whether the energy demands of vertical farming outweigh its ability to protect crops from extreme weather.
  3. Whether vertical farming can serve as a viable foundation for achieving global food security.Answer
  4. D
    Whether all traditional agricultural systems will inevitably be destroyed by the impacts of climate change.
  5. E
    Whether energy market shocks pose a greater threat to the global food supply than unpredictable weather patterns.

Answer

The correct answer is the option stating 'Whether vertical farming can serve as a viable foundation for achieving global food security.'
The correct option perfectly captures the core disagreement. The agronomist argues that vertical farming is 'essential if we are to achieve global food security.' Therefore, the agronomist would answer 'Yes' to this proposition. The economist argues that due to its energy requirements and financial unsustainability, 'We cannot build a secure global food supply on [this] system.' Therefore, the economist would answer 'No' to this proposition. Because they hold mutually exclusive positions on this exact statement, it is the point at issue.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the Agronomist's argument to determine their main conclusion.
The Agronomist concludes that vertical farming is essential for achieving global food security.
Identifying the primary claim sets up the first half of the potential disagreement.
2
Analyze the Economist's argument to determine their main conclusion.
The Economist concludes that vertical farming cannot serve as the basis for a secure global food supply.
Identifying the respondent's primary claim reveals how they are reacting to the first speaker.
3
Compare the two conclusions to find the precise point of overlap and conflict.
The Agronomist says vertical farming achieves food security; the Economist says it cannot build a secure food supply.
The correct answer must be a proposition that one speaker would say 'yes' to, and the other would say 'no' to.
4
Evaluate each option against the 'Yes/No' test.
Only the statement regarding whether vertical farming is a viable foundation for global food security passes the test (Agronomist: Yes; Economist: No).
Options where one speaker's opinion is unknown, or where both agree, must be eliminated.

Key Concept

Identifying the Point at Issue in a Two-Speaker Dialogue
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Topics

Two-Speaker Dialogues (Point at Issue)

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