Energy analyst: During this record–breaking heat wave, air conditioner use has overloaded the region's electrical pow...

SamA on October 30, 2019

Hello @Tehran20,

The energy analyst specifically states that air conditioner use is what caused the overload of the region's power grid. This is the problem with answer choice A. Even if there are other significant drains on the electrical system, they did not cause the overload. Therefore, they do not explain how the blackouts will probably continue even if people reduce air conditioner use in their homes.

B is correct, because it explains how reducing air conditioner use in homes is unlikely to solve the problem. If businesses and factories don't cut back, the blackouts will probably continue.

Konnor on July 27, 2020

why is d not correct?

shunhe on July 27, 2020

Hey there,

Thanks for the question! So remember, we’re being asked to resolve the paradox. And what is the paradox? Well, it’s the fact that even if the residents cut back voluntarily on air conditioner use, the blackouts (which are caused by heat waves) will probably still happen until the heat wave goes away.

So let’s see if (D) helps resolve it. (D) tells us that residents of the region aren’t likely to reduce the air conditioner use voluntarily during particularly hot weather. But remember the stimulus tells us that even if they did, it wouldn’t matter, the blackouts would still happen. So the fact the the blackouts will continue EVEN IF the residents do comply is the crux of the paradox we need to solve, and saying that realistically, the residents probably won’t comply doesn’t help resolve this. That’s why (D) is wrong.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.