For cross-text questions, first give each passage a quick one-sentence summary focusing on the author’s main claim and how they support it. Then decide whether the second author would agree or disagree with a specific claim from the first, and why. Finally, scan the answer choices for the one that (1) clearly shows that same agreement or disagreement and (2) uses only the kind of support actually mentioned in the second text—reject any choice that introduces new ideas or reverses the author’s stance.
Hints
- Hint 1
Clarify each author’s view
First, summarize what Shankar says about local measures versus federal emissions caps. Then summarize what Vargas finds about local initiatives compared with national regulations.
- Hint 2
Focus on agreement or disagreement
Ask yourself: would Vargas mostly agree with Shankar that local efforts are only marginal, or would he challenge that idea based on his study results?
- Hint 3
Pay attention to the kind of response
The question asks how Vargas would respond to Shankar’s claim. Look for the option that uses the kind of support Vargas actually has in his text (what kind of information does he provide?).
Step-by-step
- Step 1
Restate Shankar’s main claim (Text 1)
Shankar argues that rapid national decarbonization requires strict federal emissions caps on industry. She says that voluntary or local measures can produce only marginal (very small) reductions, because big polluters won’t change much without strong federal penalties.
- Step 2
Restate Vargas’s main finding (Text 2)
Vargas studies sixty municipalities with community-led climate initiatives that acted without federal mandates. Over a decade, those places reduced their carbon footprints by an average of 35% and outperformed neighboring areas that relied only on national regulations. He concludes that local efforts, with enough resources and public support, can match or exceed centralized (national) policies.
- Step 3
Compare their positions
Shankar says local measures are weak and only achieve small changes; federal caps are necessary. Vargas’s evidence shows local initiatives can be very effective, even more effective than national regulations alone. So Vargas would disagree with Shankar’s claim about local measures and would use his research results to respond.
- Step 4
Match the comparison to the answer choice
We are asked how Vargas would respond to Shankar based on the texts. The response must:
- Challenge her view that local efforts are only marginal, and
- Do so by using his data comparing local initiatives to national regulations.
Choice D says Vargas would respond by citing evidence that locally driven initiatives can yield emissions cuts comparable to or greater than those achieved under federal caps, which exactly reflects his 35% reduction findings and conclusion. Therefore, the correct answer is D.