Which statement summarizes the two sides of the ethanol debate presented in this passage

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Biofuels have been around longer than cars have, but cheap gasoline and diesel have long kept them on the fringe. Spikes in oil prices, and now global efforts to stave off the worst effects of climate change, have lent new urgency to the search for clean, renewable fuels.

Our road travel, flights, and shipping account for nearly a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation today remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. The idea behind biofuel is to replace traditional fuels with those made from plant material or other feedstocks that are renewable.

But the concept of using farmland to produce fuel instead of food comes with its own challenges, and solutions that rely on waste or other feedstocks haven't yet been able to compete on price and scale with conventional fuels. Global biofuel output needs to triple by 2030 in order to meet the International Energy Agency's targets for sustainable growth.

The Hidden Costs of Turning Food Into Fuel

Biofuel types and uses

There are various ways of making biofuels, but they generally use chemical reactions, fermentation, and heat to break down the starches, sugars, and other molecules in plants. The resulting products are then refined to produce a fuel that cars or other vehicles can use.

Much of the gasoline in the United States contains one of the most common biofuels: ethanol. Made by fermenting the sugars from plants such as corn or sugarcane, ethanol contains oxygen that helps a car's engine burn fuel more efficiently, reducing air pollution. In the U.S., where most ethanol is derived from corn, fuel is typically 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. In Brazil—the second-largest ethanol producer behind the U.S.—fuel contains up to 27 percent ethanol, with sugarcane as the main feedstock.

Alternatives to diesel fuel include biodiesel and renewable diesel. Biodiesel, derived from fats such as vegetable oil, animal fat, and recycled cooking grease, can be blended with petroleum-based diesel. Some buses, trucks, and military vehicles in the U.S. run on fuel blends with up to 20 percent biodiesel, but pure biodiesel can be compromised by cold weather and may cause problems in older vehicles. Renewable diesel, a chemically different product that can be derived from fats or plant-based waste, is considered a "drop-in" fuel that does not need to be blended with conventional diesel.

Other types of plant-based fuel have been created for aviation and shipping. More than 150,000 flights have used biofuel, but the amount of aviation biofuel produced in 2018 accounted for less than 0.1 percent of total consumption. In shipping, too, adoption of biofuel is at levels far below the 2030 targets set by the International Energy Agency.

Renewable natural gas, or biomethane, is another fuel that potentially could be used not only for transportation but also heat and electricity generation. Gas can be captured from landfills, livestock operations, wastewater, or other sources. This captured biogas then must be refined further to remove water, carbon dioxide, and other elements so that it meets the standard needed to fuel natural-gas-powered vehicles.

What is biofuel made from?

A variety of materials, or feedstocks, can be used to make biofuels. Though corn and sugarcane are well-established ethanol feedstocks, the process of growing the crops, making fertilizers and pesticides, and processing the plants into fuel consumes a lot of energy—so much energy that there is debate about whether ethanol from corn actually provides enough of an environmental benefit to be worth the investment.

So scientists and startups are exploring other materials that have the potential to serve as fuel without the accompanying concerns about food supply and environmental impact. Cellulosic ethanol, for example, uses corn stover, wood waste, or other plant material that would not be used otherwise. Other potential biofuel feedstocks include grasses, algae, animal waste, cooking grease, and wastewater sludge, but research continues to find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to transform them into usable fuel.

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Natalie Stewart What feature of the selection BEST illustrates that it is a persuasive essay? A) < -- A? the chart showing the rise in corn prices B) the information on how farmers feed their herds C) the description of how ethanol use costs taxpayers money D) the explanation of how companies physically produce ethanol Which statement from the passage shows author bias? A) Corn is also a common source of food for livestock. B) < --- b? "Unfortunately, hardworking farmers and ranchers see very little profits from this increase in price." C) State and federal government subsidy programs offer tax credits to gas stations for each gallon of ethanol they mix in with the gasoline they sell. D) However, overenthusiastic supporters should consider all sides of the issue before taking actions that are already putting America's economy in a precarious position. hich propaganda technique does the author of the article use? A) bandwagon B) stereotyping C) <--- C logical appeal D) emotional appeal Story : Our society has recently undergone a shift towards greener living. People have grown more aware of how their actions seriously and negatively impact the environment. Many are seeking out new ways to decrease pollution levels and to find cleaner energy sources to power their homes and businesses. Ethanol is an increasingly popular fuel alternative to gasoline, made from distilled, fermented corn. The benefits of ethanol include lowering the amount of harmful carbon dioxide gases released into the air by burning fossil fuels like gasoline, as well as decreasing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil. Though many people support the production of ethanol for use as an alternative fuel, most of them ignore the serious drawbacks of ethanol use. One important economic factor in producing ethanol is its influence on the price of corn. Corn prices have more than doubled since 2005 because of increased demand, according to financial experts. Farmers know that corn is highly sought after, so they allot more space on their farms to grow large amounts of corn. This leaves less room for growing other kinds of crops, such as wheat or soybeans. These smaller amounts force suppliers to raise the prices of these now secondary crops as well. Bread and cereal manufactures are also involved in the economics of ethanol. These companies then pass rising costs of their crops to consumers, leading to higher prices at the grocery store. Corn is also a common source of food for livestock. Many farmers are now struggling to feed their herds of cows, chickens, and pigs. The increased cost of feeding their animals has forced many farmers to reduce the size of their herds, decreasing the supply of meat available to consumers. Shoppers are certain to see the prices of beef, chicken, and pork increase if corn prices continue to skyrocket. Unfortunately, hardworking farmers and ranchers see very little profits from this increase in price. Many of them oppose ethanol as an alternative fuel source because of the extreme impact it is having on their way of life. In addition, opponents of ethanol note that government subsidies cost American taxpayers more money. State and federal government subsidy programs offer tax credits to gas stations for each gallon of ethanol they mix in with the gasoline they sell. Government programs also supply companies that produce ethanol with corn! Where does the government get the money for these subsidies? Money for these projects comes from our—the taxpayers’—pockets. These costs are in addition to rising fuel prices, which are currently almost four dollars per gallon. Many people are disappointed in ethanol because they believed that it would help reduce the price at the pump, not increase it. Overall, it would be more cost-effective for everyone if the government pursued other options for fuel and energy sources.

Ethanol has some benefits. However, overenthusiastic supporters should consider all sides of the issue before taking actions that are already putting America’s economy in a precarious position. Ethanol is not the answer to our economic and environmental problems. Instead of focusing on a technology that is too costly to be practical, we should be encouraging our government to continue investing in other alternatives. Only then will we see our food and energy prices stabilize.

1. I disagree with your answers.

2. 1.D 2.D 3.D

   I'm not sure

3. I think your original answer for 3 -- C is correct.

   I still disagree with your answers for 1 and 2.

4. Which statement implies that some ethanol supporters have changed their minds about the fuel? A) “These costs are in addition to rising fuel prices, which are currently almost four dollars per gallon.” B) “Many people are disappointed in ethanol because they believed that it would help reduce the price at the pump, not increase it.” C) “Though many people support the production of ethanol for use as an alternative fuel, most of them ignore the serious drawbacks of ethanol use.”

   D) “However, overenthusiastic supporters should consider all sides of the issue before taking actions that are already putting America’s economy in a precarious position.”