Question 81·Hard·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Advocates of so-called microgrids argue that the fastest, most economical route to electrifying remote villages in developing nations is to sidestep national utilities altogether. According to these proponents, compact solar- or wind-powered systems can be installed within months, immediately supplying households with lighting and refrigeration that would otherwise remain out of reach for years while they await the extension of centralized power lines.
Text 2
In a recent policy paper, energy economist Priya Khanna warns that the celebrated microgrid revolution risks repeating the shortcomings of earlier small-scale technological fixes. Khanna points out that more than half of the pilot microgrids she surveyed ceased operating within five years because village councils lacked funds for spare parts and technicians. While she agrees that microgrids can jump-start access to electricity, she contends that they must eventually be meshed with regional transmission networks if rural communities are to enjoy reliable service and economic growth.
Question
Based on both texts, which statement best describes how Khanna (Text 2) would likely respond to the position advanced by microgrid advocates in Text 1?
For cross-text questions, first separately summarize each author’s main claim and attitude in one short sentence (e.g., “Text 1: microgrids should replace national utilities for remote villages; Text 2: microgrids help at first but need integration with big grids”). Then look for key contrast words like “while,” “but,” and “however” that show where the second author agrees and where they diverge from the first. When you go to the choices, quickly eliminate any that (1) contradict what the second text clearly says, (2) add new ideas not in the passage, or (3) turn a nuanced view into an extreme position. Choose the option that best captures both the point of agreement and the point of disagreement between the texts.
Hints
Compare the core claims in each text
First, summarize in your own words what the microgrid advocates in Text 1 want to do about national utilities, and then summarize what Khanna in Text 2 says should happen with microgrids over time.
Pay attention to words that show agreement and disagreement
In Text 2, look closely at the sentence starting with “While she agrees…” and notice what comes after “she contends.” How does that show both agreement and criticism of the position in Text 1?
Check for extreme or unsupported positions in the choices
Ask yourself: Does Khanna totally reject microgrids, totally embrace them as a permanent stand‑alone solution, or see them as part of a larger plan? Eliminate answer choices that claim she takes a position not supported by the text.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what Text 1 claims about microgrids
Look at the key idea in Text 1: advocates say microgrids are “the fastest, most economical route” to electrifying remote villages and that villages can “sidestep national utilities altogether.” This means they see microgrids as a complete solution that makes big national grids unnecessary for these communities.
Clarify Khanna’s attitude toward microgrids in Text 2
In Text 2, Khanna “warns” about the microgrid revolution and notes that “more than half” of pilot microgrids stopped working within five years due to funding and maintenance problems. However, she also “agrees that microgrids can jump‑start access to electricity.” So, she thinks microgrids are useful at first, but they often fail if they stand alone.
See what Khanna wants in the long term
Khanna “contends that they must eventually be meshed with regional transmission networks if rural communities are to enjoy reliable service and economic growth.” This means she believes microgrids by themselves are not enough; lasting, reliable power and economic progress require connecting them to larger power systems (regional or national grids).
Match Khanna’s nuanced view to the answer choice
Putting it together: Khanna would partly agree with the advocates that microgrids are valuable for quick, initial electrification, but she would disagree with the idea of permanently “sidestepping national utilities altogether.” Instead, she insists they must eventually be tied into larger power networks. The choice that best captures this partial agreement (short‑term help) plus long‑term insistence on connection to bigger grids is: “She would concede that microgrids offer a useful short-term solution but insist that lasting electrification depends on linking them to larger power networks.”