Question 159·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
A recent study led by climatologist Mei-Ling Xu examined the effects of installing vegetation-covered "green roofs" on a cluster of commercial buildings in a large metropolitan area. During a week-long summer heat wave, rooftop temperatures on the vegetated buildings averaged 15°F lower than those on neighboring conventional roofs, and indoor cooling demand fell by roughly 5 percent. Xu cautions, however, that while green roofs can modestly reduce localized heat and energy use, their impact is not large enough to counteract the overall urban heat-island effect by themselves.
Text 2
Architect and sustainability consultant Diego Morales argues that cities should adopt green-roof policies, but he echoes some of Xu’s reservations. Morales notes that the roofs provide multiple benefits—lower surface temperatures, extended roof lifespan, and additional habitat for pollinators—yet he insists they must be paired with other measures such as increased tree canopy and reflective paving to meaningfully cool entire urban districts.
Based on the texts, Xu and Morales would most likely agree with which statement about green roofs?
For SAT cross-text agreement questions, first read the question stem and underline key task words like "would most likely agree" or "both authors." Then, for each text, quickly identify the author’s main attitude or claim about the topic, paying special attention to contrast words ("however," "yet," "but") that show limitations or conditions. Once you have a one-sentence summary of each author’s view in your own words, look for the overlap—what is clearly true in both texts. Eliminate any answer choice that is contradicted by either text, that adds new information (like predictions or motives) not supported by both, or that exaggerates the authors’ claims. Choose the option that fits comfortably with both authors’ stated positions, without stretching or guessing beyond what is written.
Hints
Focus on Xu’s caution in Text 1
Reread the last sentence of Text 1, especially the phrase starting at "Xu cautions, however." Ask yourself: does Xu think green roofs alone can fix the urban heat-island effect?
Focus on Morales’s condition in Text 2
In Text 2, look closely at the part beginning with "yet he insists". What does Morales say must also happen in addition to installing green roofs?
Look for the shared idea, not just one author’s view
After you understand each text separately, ask: what point about green roofs do both Xu and Morales make? Then eliminate any answer choice that one of them would likely disagree with.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand Xu’s main point in Text 1
Look at the last sentence of Text 1: Xu says green roofs "can modestly reduce localized heat and energy use" but that their impact "is not large enough to counteract the overall urban heat-island effect by themselves."
This means Xu believes:
- Green roofs help (they reduce heat and energy use), but
- They are not sufficient on their own to solve the urban heat-island problem.
Understand Morales’s main point in Text 2
In Text 2, Morales supports green roofs but adds an important condition. He says cities should adopt green-roof policies, and he lists their benefits (lower temperatures, longer roof life, habitat for pollinators).
Then notice the key phrase: he says they "must be paired with other measures" like more trees and reflective paving "to meaningfully cool entire urban districts."
So Morales also believes:
- Green roofs help, but
- They must be combined with other strategies to have a big overall cooling effect.
Find what Xu and Morales agree on
Now compare their views:
- Xu: green roofs reduce heat somewhat but are not enough by themselves to counteract urban heat islands.
- Morales: green roofs have several benefits but must be paired with other measures to meaningfully cool whole districts.
Both agree that green roofs:
- Are beneficial and can lower temperatures.
- Are not sufficient alone and need to be part of a broader strategy.
Match their shared view to the answer choices
Check each option against what both authors say:
- A) Says green roofs are sufficient on their own — this directly contradicts both texts.
- C) Says their primary advantage is financial savings, which neither text claims.
- D) Predicts they will dominate within the next decade, a claim not made in either text.
Only choice B) "They can contribute to lowering urban temperatures but must be combined with other strategies for substantial impact." accurately captures the idea that both Xu and Morales support: green roofs help, but they need to be used with other measures to significantly cool cities.