The correct answer should be
D. Let me explain:
With increasing public concern about carbon emissions, European countries plan to open about 50 new coal plants in the next five years, responding to negative criticism with promises of cleaner coal based on carbon capturing technologies not yet commercially available.
Here the rest of the sentence is the key to selecting the correct option. We are told about "negative criticism". Basically, the government is continuing its agenda to open 50 coal plants (which would emit more carbon), and responding to the "public concern" by promising the use of "cleaner coal" that uses technologies that don't even exist yet.
So, the first clause should use a contrast word. With this in mind, let's look at the options.
(A) With
With is grammatically correct but not correct in the intended meaning. We need a contrast word.NO.
(B) In
In also modifies the meaning by possibly suggesting that the actions of the European countries are causing "increasing public concern". NO.
(C) Through
Again, "Through" is not contrasting. Instead, it modifies the meaning as if to say that Europeans are making use of "public concerns" to further their cause of opening 50 coal plants. NO.
(D) Despite
Ah. Finally a contrast word. And the correct one too. The meaning is correct, since despite the public concern about emissions, the Euro nations are still going ahead with the plan. CORRECT.
(E) Although
A contrast word. Excellent. But alas, it is not the intended meaning. This seems to suggest as if European countries are the ones "increasing the public concern". NO.
This was a good example of a sentence in which meaning is tested.
Let me know if this helps
Last edited by
eagleeye on Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
