Reading Comprehension · Science
PrepTest 153 · Section 1 · Passage 2
Questions 7–14
Before you start
Open PrepTest 153, Section 1 in your official copy from LSAC and read the passage for Questions 7–14, using the structure guide below. The passage is not reprinted here.
Structure guide
- P1: gives background on a trend, reports an optimistic view held by some, states the author's doubt, and sets out the central two-sided puzzle
- P2: gives the first way the proposed solution can make the problem worse, tied to its larger-scale form
- P3: gives a second, more important way, backed by figures, and answers a defenders' objection
- P4: concedes that the solution has real benefits, with examples, then explains why those benefits may not last
Step 2 · The kid passage
The Great Crayon Rescue
Brand-new crayons in Ms. Rivera's art bin have been vanishing, so remelting has taken off: kids melt broken stubs into fat rainbow crayons. Remelts now make up about a third of the crayons our class colors with. Marcus even claims remelting will take the heat off the bin and let it fill back up, since nobody will need to grab new ones. I see no proof of that. Here is the puzzle: remelting might save the bin, and it might also help drain it.
First, the big-batch kind, where Tommy melts dozens at once in the toaster oven, makes a mess. Wax drips onto the art table, soaks the paper stack, and splashes into the bin itself, ruining new crayons sitting there.
Even worse, bright remelts need fresh color. On average, each remelt eats two new crayons from the bin. Only the dull colors, gray, brown and black, use less than they give back. Glitter remelts can eat five. Fans say kids who love bright colors would wear down even more new crayons anyway, but five is a lot.
To be fair, remelting can help. With remelts everywhere, new crayons are worth less in trades, so fewer kids raid the bin. Remelt brown works fine in place of new brown. Still, a craze has begun: more and more kids collect new crayons in certain colors, sharp tips and all, and keep taking them even though remelts in those colors are easy to get.
Step 4 · The courtroom tale
The Case of the Stripped Bicycles
Judge Okoro tapped her gavel. The town was suing a used-bike shop. Mr. Whitfield snapped his suspenders. "Your Honor, new bikes are scarce, and my client's shop fills the gap. Surely that leaves more new bikes for everyone!" The town's lawyer, Ms. Patel, held up a photo. "Look closer. To build each rebuilt bike, the shop takes wheels and chains from two brand-new ones. And its giant workshop leaks grease onto the bikes waiting outside." Mr. Whitfield coughed. "But cheaper rebuilt bikes mean fewer people buy new ones." "True," said Ms. Patel, "until collectors started hoarding new bikes anyway." The judge sighed. "So your fix helps a little and hurts a lot. Both things can be true at once."