Question 104·Medium·Inferences
Urban planners often note that green roofs can lower a building’s energy use. However, a recent survey of municipal policies found that most green roof programs were approved primarily to manage stormwater and to increase urban biodiversity rather than to reduce energy consumption. Consequently, commentators who describe green roofs chiefly as an energy-saving measure _____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
For this kind of SAT Reading & Writing "complete the text" inference question, first paraphrase the sentences before the blank in your own words and identify any contrast or cause-effect signaled by words like "however" or "consequently." Then, before looking at choices, decide what type of idea the blank needs (e.g., a consequence, a problem, a clarification). When you evaluate the answer choices, eliminate any that introduce new topics, details, or assumptions not supported by the passage; the correct choice will closely match the logic and focus of the given text without adding extra information.
Hints
Focus on the survey results
Reread the sentence about the survey of municipal policies. What reasons do cities mainly give for adopting green roofs, and how does that compare to the energy-use benefit?
Use the word "Consequently"
The word "Consequently" tells you the blank should state what logically follows from the fact that energy savings are not the primary motivation. What kind of problem could arise if commentators emphasize energy savings above all?
Think about emphasis vs. main reasons
Ask yourself: If commentators describe green roofs mainly in terms of one benefit that is not the main reason cities adopt them, what effect does that have on how people understand cities' true motivations?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the contrast in the passage
First, summarize what the passage says:
- Urban planners "often note" that green roofs can reduce energy use.
- However, a survey shows that most green roof programs were approved mainly to manage stormwater and increase biodiversity, not to reduce energy use.
So energy savings are a benefit, but not the primary reason cities adopt green roofs.
Figure out what the blank must express
Look at the connector: "Consequently" means the blank should describe a logical result of this contrast.
Commentators are described as talking about green roofs chiefly as an energy-saving measure. But the survey shows that the main motivations are stormwater management and biodiversity.
So the blank should express the idea that when commentators present green roofs mainly as energy-saving, they are giving a misleading emphasis that hides or misrepresents the actual main reasons cities use them.
Test each answer against the passage
Now compare each choice to what the passage actually says:
- (A) brings in engineering limits and older buildings, which are never mentioned.
- (B) claims commentators assume cities have abandoned traditional flood-control infrastructure, also not stated.
- (C) introduces solar panels and interchangeability in energy policy, another new idea.
- (D) says commentators "risk obscuring the primary motivations municipalities cite for adopting them", which directly matches the idea that focusing on energy savings hides the real main reasons (stormwater management and biodiversity).
Therefore, the correct answer is: "risk obscuring the primary motivations municipalities cite for adopting them."