Two students in the debate club are preparing arguments for and against the use of nuclear energy. Each student will have five minutes to present an argument based on scientific evidence.
The student who supports the use of nuclear energy is considered a proponent of nuclear energy.
The student who does not support the use of nuclear energy is considered an opponent of nuclear energy.
The proponent presents his argument first. His argument is based on the following key points.
Nuclear energy does not emit any greenhouse gases.
Nuclear energy does not contribute to global warming.
Next, the opponent presents his argument.
Which pair of key points is the opponent most likely to use in his argument against the use of nuclear energy?
(1 point)
Responses
Nuclear energy contaminates local water supplies.
Nuclear energy impacts climate change.
Nuclear energy contaminates local water supplies. Nuclear energy impacts climate change.
There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste.
Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.
There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste. Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.
Nuclear energy is not a renewable resource.
Nuclear energy releases gases into the atmosphere that deplete the ozone layer.
Nuclear energy is not a renewable resource. Nuclear energy releases gases into the atmosphere that deplete the ozone layer.
Nuclear energy creates acid fog and clouds.
Nuclear waste in the air harms trees.
Nuclear energy creates acid fog and clouds. Nuclear waste in the air harms trees.
There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste. Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.
The opponent is most likely to use the pair of key points:
- There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste.
- Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.
To come to this conclusion, we can analyze the given options and eliminate the ones that are not related to the opponent's argument against the use of nuclear energy.
Options 1 and 3 do not address the storage and radioactivity issues of nuclear waste, so they can be eliminated.
Option 4 mentions acid fog and harm to trees, which are not directly related to nuclear waste or its storage, so it can be eliminated as well.
Therefore, the remaining option is option 2:
- There is no safe place or method to store nuclear waste.
- Nuclear energy creates waste that remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.