These passages are part of longer writing samples, they do not necessarily constitute a complete discussion of the issue presented. Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it. The questions test your awareness of a writer’s purpose and of characteristics of prose that are important to good writing.     Questions below refer to the following paragraphs.      (1) After years of virtually ignoring the world energy crisis and growing environmental concerns, American automakers have finally begun to recognize the need for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly... Show more

These passages are part of longer writing samples, they do not necessarily constitute a complete discussion of the issue presented. Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it. The questions test your awareness of a writer’s purpose and of characteristics of prose that are important to good writing.    

Questions below refer to the following paragraphs.    
 (1) After years of virtually ignoring the world energy crisis and growing environmental concerns, American automakers have finally begun to recognize the need for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly automobiles. (2) For quite some time, American car companies insisted on primarily producing oversized, gas-guzzling vehicles that wasted precious energy reserves and polluted the environment. (3) Faced with pressure to alter their approach, automakers have, at last, started to switch gears and turn their attention to smaller, energy-efficient vehicles and gas-electric hybrid cars. (4) With less emphasis on extravagant, wasteful cars, American roadways are quickly becoming greener than ever.    
 (5) The impetus for this considerable shift in focus was likely the impact of more forward-thinking competition and evolving consumer values. (6) Many overseas automakers were producing and marketing energy-efficient cars long before American car companies caught onto the trend. (7) The gradual influx of environmentally friendly foreign cars into the American market slowly increased consumer interest in more efficient vehicles. (8) Faced with strong overseas competition and growing consumer demand for a better domestic product, American car companies were left with no choice but to abandon many of their earlier designs and instead focus on more environmentally conscious models. (9) This change has marked a major turning point for the American automotive industry and may be a sign of additional innovations to come.    
 

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