Question

Read this paragraph about the benefits of a green roof. a green roof is created by adding soil and plants to a specially designed roof. scientific research has shown that a green roof has many benefits compared with traditional roofs. plants naturally absorb energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy that is stored in the bonds of sugars during photosynthesis. the soil materials also help insulate the building. in addition, a green roof helps control runoff as plant roots absorb rainwater. if local plants are used in the green roof, it may provide habitat for native species. which sentence from the paragraph supports the idea that green roofs can help reduce cooling costs? a. "scientific research has shown that a green roof has many benefits compared with traditional roofs." b. "plants naturally absorb energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy that is stored in the bonds of sugars during photosynthesis." c. "the soil materials also help insulate the building." d. "in addition, a green roof helps control runoff as plant roots absorb rainwater."

Answer 1

b. "plants naturally absorb energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy that is stored in the bonds of sugars during photosynthesis."

Step-by-step explanation:

Option b best describes how a green roof can reduce cooling costs. It is the sun's energy that heats the building. Sunlight that hits a surface is partially reflected and partially absorbed as heat, which warms the building. The green roof, as noted in option b, converts most of the absorbed energy into chemical bonds via photosynthesis. The energy is used to make the chemical bonds, and is thus converted to chemical, not thermal energy.

One might be tempted to choose c: "the soil materials also help insulate the building." But the word insulate can mean that it traps energy in the house by forming a barrier to its release.