Recent atmospheric studies have shown that constantly increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other gases are capable of raising the earth's average temperature. Although no one is certain how serious global warming may become, the threat can no longer be ignored. The best way to reduce these gasesis to make consumers pay the full environmental costs of various energy sources. The greater the amount of pollution a given energy source generates, the higher the consumer price should be. In addition to curtailing the use of environmentally destructive power sources, a program based on such marketplace incentives would spur efforts to develop less harmful alternatives.


2. Which of the following assumptions most influenced the writer's argument in the passage?

A. Global warming is the greatest threat facing humankind today

B. Consumers tend to seek out inexpensive alternatives to expensive products

C. Most people spend too much money meeting their energy needs.

D. Scientists know much more about the effects than they do about the causes of global warming

E. Many people believe the benefits of energy outweigh the costs

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