EPSO Verbal Reasoning Practice

This week’s ten questions, with the answers

Real questions from the bank, free and with no account. The set is the same for everyone all week and rotates every Monday.

1. Question 1 of 10Difficulty 2/5

   The Bank of England, established in 1694, serves as the central bank of the United Kingdom and is responsible for monetary policy and financial stability. Its primary objective, as defined by the Government, is to maintain price stability, typically targeting an inflation rate of 2 per cent. To achieve this, the Monetary Policy Committee adjusts the official bank rate, which influences borrowing costs for households and businesses. Historical data indicates that changes to interest rates often take 18 to 24 months to fully affect consumer prices, creating a significant transmission lag. Consequently, the Bank must forecast economic conditions well in advance, relying on models rather than reacting solely to current inflation figures.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • AHigher interest rates inevitably lead to increased unemployment, forcing central banks to balance price stability against job losses.
   • BCentral banks focus primarily on responding to existing economic indicators rather than forecasting future developments.
   • CThe time lag in monetary policy suggests that reactive measures may prove inadequate for stabilising prices.
   • DRaising interest rates always reduces inflation immediately, ensuring that central banks can control prices without delay.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: C — The time lag in monetary policy suggests that reactive measures may prove inadequate for stabilising prices.

   Why

   The correct answer requires synthesising the fact that monetary policy effects are delayed with the requirement for policymakers to be proactive. By combining these two premises, it follows that a purely reactive approach would be insufficient for price stability, which tests your ability to avoid unsupported inferences and extreme wording.

   Option by option

   • AYou might be tempted by this option if you apply general economic knowledge, but it introduces concepts regarding unemployment and job losses not mentioned in the text. The passage discusses reductions in "consumer spending and business investment" but remains silent on employment outcomes, making this an unsupported inference. The distinction is the leap from investment levels to labor market results.
   • BThis option is tempting because it mentions both indicators and forecasting, but it reverses the logic of the text. The passage explicitly states that policymakers must "anticipate future economic trends" rather than just reacting, making the claim that they focus primarily on existing indicators a direct contradiction. The distinction lies in whether the bank is proactive or reactive.
   • CThis conclusion is derived by combining the sentence regarding the "significant transmission lag" with the final statement on the need to forecast conditions. By linking these two points, you can logically infer that reactive measures alone are inadequate for stability. This is the most complete answer as it respects the passage's scope, unlike the option claiming immediate effects.
   • DYou might select this based on outside knowledge, but it employs extreme wording that contradicts the text. The passage states that impacts are "rarely immediate" and occur with a "significant transmission lag," which disproves the claim that rates reduce inflation immediately. The distinction is the presence of a time lag versus an instant effect.
2. Question 2 of 10Difficulty 3/5

   The development of the steam engine marked a pivotal shift in manufacturing capabilities during the late eighteenth century. This technological advancement allowed factories to operate independently of water sources, thereby facilitating urbanization and increased production rates. However, the initial implementation of steam power was limited by high fuel costs and mechanical inefficiencies that persisted for several decades. Early models, such as Newcomen's atmospheric engine, were primarily used for pumping water from mines and consumed large quantities of coal. Watt's improved design, patented in 1769, addressed some efficiency issues but remained expensive for small-scale operations. By the 1830s, steam power had become more accessible, though adoption varied significantly across industries.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • AThe steam engine immediately eliminated all geographical constraints on factory locations upon its invention.
   • BHigh fuel costs and mechanical inefficiencies hindered the widespread adoption of steam power in its early stages.
   • CUrbanization occurred primarily because factories required proximity to water sources for steam generation.
   • DThe steam engine was the sole factor responsible for the increase in production rates during the Industrial Revolution.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: B — High fuel costs and mechanical inefficiencies hindered the widespread adoption of steam power in its early stages.

   Why

   The correct answer requires identifying a statement that accurately reflects the limitations of early industrial technology by synthesizing technical and economic barriers. The passage states that steam power allowed independence from water but was initially limited by costs and inefficiencies, making this a question of recognizing scope qualifiers over absolute claims.

   Option by option

   • AYou may be tempted by the idea that steam power removed location limits, but this option uses extreme wording. The passage notes that implementation was limited by fuel costs and inefficiencies for several decades, meaning constraints were not immediately eliminated. The distinction is between the potential to move factories and the actual immediate removal of all geographical barriers.
   • BThis statement is derived from the sentence noting that initial implementation was limited by high fuel costs and mechanical inefficiencies. By combining these two specific barriers, you arrive at the conclusion that adoption was hindered in early stages. This is more accurate than other options because it respects the temporal qualifiers provided in the text.
   • CThis option creates a false causal link by suggesting water was required for steam generation. The passage explicitly states that the technology allowed factories to operate independently of water sources, which in turn facilitated urbanization. The distinction is that steam power liberated factories from riverbanks rather than tying them to water.
   • DThis option is an overgeneralization that attributes production increases to a single cause. While the passage links steam power to increased production rates, it describes the engine as a pivotal shift rather than the exclusive driver. The distinction is between a primary contributing factor and the sole cause of the Industrial Revolution.
3. Question 3 of 10Difficulty 3/5

   The Ottoman Empire's territorial expansion reached its zenith in the sixteenth century, particularly under Suleiman the Magnificent, who presided over significant military innovations and administrative centralization. Subsequent centuries witnessed gradual territorial contraction as European powers developed superior naval capabilities and industrialized economies. This decline was accelerated by internal succession disputes and the empire's inability to adapt to changing geopolitical realities. By the late nineteenth century, the empire, often referred to as the 'sick man of Europe,' faced increasing pressure from nationalist movements and foreign intervention. Despite these challenges, the empire maintained control over key regions until the early twentieth century, when World War I precipitated its final dissolution.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • AThe Ottoman Empire maintained its territorial gains by exclusively relying on traditional military strategies throughout its history.
   • BMilitary and administrative strengths initially supported expansion, but later failures to adapt contributed to contraction.
   • CThe empire's administrative centralization directly caused its rapid industrialization during the seventeenth century.
   • DEuropean naval superiority was the sole cause of the Ottoman Empire's territorial expansion during the sixteenth century.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: B — Military and administrative strengths initially supported expansion, but later failures to adapt contributed to contraction.

   Why

   The correct answer requires synthesizing the drivers of growth mentioned in the first sentence with the causes of decline described later. The passage establishes a transition from success based on innovation and organization to failure due to rigidity, testing your ability to identify causal relationships while avoiding extreme qualifiers.

   Option by option

   • AYou might be tempted by this option if you overlook the specific nature of Ottoman success, but it uses extreme wording by claiming a reliance on strategies exclusively. The passage contradicts this by attributing expansion to "military innovations", proving the empire did not rely solely on traditional methods. The distinction is that innovation is the opposite of exclusive tradition.
   • BThis conclusion is derived by combining the first sentence regarding drivers of expansion with the final sentences regarding decline. It synthesizes the role of "military innovations" and "administrative centralization" with the later "inability to adapt". This is the most complete answer because it captures the full trajectory of the empire without introducing external facts or absolute qualifiers.
   • CThis option creates an unsupported inference by linking administrative centralization to industrialization. While the passage mentions "administrative centralization" as a driver of expansion and notes that European powers had "industrialized economies", it never suggests the Ottoman Empire itself industrialized. The distinction is the incorrect attribution of a European characteristic to the Ottoman state.
   • DThis option employs inverse logic by attributing Ottoman expansion to European naval superiority. The passage explicitly links "superior naval capabilities" of European powers to the empire's "territorial contraction", not its expansion. The distinction is a complete reversal of the cause-and-effect relationship described in the text.
4. Question 4 of 10Difficulty 3/5
   Urban neighborhoods lacking grocery stores often rely on convenience shops that stock calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Epidemiological studies indicate residents in these areas exhibit higher rates of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to those with diverse food access. This correlation persists even when controlling for income levels, suggesting proximity to fresh produce is a distinct determinant of metabolic health.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • AResidents might improve metabolic outcomes by increasing access to fresh produce, regardless of their financial status.
   • BThe absence of grocery stores invariably causes every resident to develop cardiovascular disease eventually.
   • CIncome levels primarily determine metabolic health, while proximity to fresh produce has negligible impact on disease rates.
   • DConvenience store owners in urban areas typically earn higher profits than grocery store managers in suburban districts.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: A — Residents might improve metabolic outcomes by increasing access to fresh produce, regardless of their financial status.

   Why

   The passage states that the link between food access and disease persists after controlling for income, identifying proximity to fresh produce as a distinct determinant. The correct answer synthesises these points to infer that improving access could benefit metabolic health independently of financial circumstances. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates directional/causal inference. The dominant trap is UNSUPPORTED_INFERENCE: a plausible claim the passage neither affirms nor denies. Verify cause-effect direction: does the passage say X→Y or Y→X? Inverse-logic distractors flip the relationship.

   Option by option

   • AThe passage explicitly links proximity to fresh produce with metabolic health while controlling for income. The correct option infers that enhancing this proximity may improve outcomes regardless of income, combining the determinant claim with the income control finding.
   • BThis option uses extreme words like 'invariably' and 'every' to claim universal disease development. The passage only reports 'higher rates' of disease, not that every resident inevitably suffers cardiovascular disease, making this an extreme wording error.
   • CThis option claims income is primary and proximity has negligible impact. The passage explicitly states the correlation persists when controlling for income and that proximity is a distinct determinant, directly contradicting the option's inverse logic.
   • DThis option discusses profit margins and suburban managers. The passage mentions convenience shops and grocery stores but provides no information regarding financial profits or suburban comparisons, rendering this an unsupported inference.
5. Question 5 of 10Difficulty 3/5
   Recent epidemiological studies suggest that the rise in obesity rates cannot be attributed solely to individual dietary choices. Genetic predispositions significantly influence metabolic efficiency, causing some individuals to store energy more readily than others under identical caloric conditions. Furthermore, urban environments often limit opportunities for physical activity while increasing access to energy-dense foods. Consequently, populations in these settings exhibit higher prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that elevates cardiovascular risk. This evidence implies that effective public health interventions must address structural factors rather than focusing exclusively on personal responsibility.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • AGenetic predispositions typically determine metabolic efficiency in the majority of individuals worldwide.
   • BStandardized dietary advice may overlook significant biological differences in how individuals process energy.
   • CUrban environments invariably lead to metabolic syndrome in all residents regardless of genetic makeup.
   • DFocusing exclusively on personal responsibility is the most effective approach to reducing obesity rates.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: B — Standardized dietary advice may overlook significant biological differences in how individuals process energy.

   Why

   The correct answer requires synthesizing the evidence regarding genetic variability with the logical implication that uniform guidelines may be insufficient. The passage establishes that some individuals store energy more readily than others under identical conditions, evaluating the candidate's ability to recognize a supported inference while avoiding overgeneralization. This question tests the capacity to distinguish between a qualified implication and an extreme or unsupported claim.

   Option by option

   • AThis option is tempting because it references genetic predispositions mentioned in the text, but it overgeneralizes by applying this to the majority of individuals worldwide. The passage only specifies that such predispositions influence some individuals, making no claim about a global majority. The distinction lies in the unsupported shift from a specific subset of the population to a general rule.
   • BThis conclusion is derived from the evidence that genetic predispositions cause some individuals to store energy more readily than others. By combining this biological variability with the premise of identical caloric conditions, it follows that a standardized approach would overlook these innate differences. This is the only option that maintains the qualified scope of the passage rather than extending it to an absolute.
   • CThis option employs extreme wording by asserting that urban environments invariably affect all residents. While the text notes a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in these settings, it does not state that every resident develops the condition. The passage describes a statistical trend rather than an absolute certainty for every individual.
   • DThis option uses inverse logic by suggesting that personal responsibility is the most effective approach. The passage explicitly contradicts this, stating that interventions must address structural factors rather than focusing exclusively on personal responsibility. The distinction is a direct reversal of the author's stated conclusion regarding public health interventions.
6. Question 6 of 10Difficulty 4/5

   Working memory refers to the cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information necessary for complex tasks such as reasoning and learning. Studies conducted at the University of Cambridge and Stanford University have examined the effects of targeted cognitive training programmes. Participants who completed structured working memory exercises demonstrated measurable improvements in tasks directly related to the training protocols. However, longitudinal assessments revealed that these gains rarely extended to unrelated academic subjects or general problem-solving abilities. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development note that the transfer of skills remains limited and context-specific, suggesting that isolated memory drills may not yield broad educational benefits.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • AWorking memory capacity declines significantly after early childhood, limiting adult learning potential.
   • BEngaging in working memory exercises generates substantial transfer effects to unrelated academic domains.
   • CWorking memory training tends to enhance performance on similar tasks without significantly boosting unrelated academic skills.
   • DWorking memory training typically improves cognitive performance across a wide range of academic subjects.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: C — Working memory training tends to enhance performance on similar tasks without significantly boosting unrelated academic skills.

   Why

   You must synthesize the passage's findings on task-specific gains and the lack of generalization to identify the correct statement. By combining the evidence that training helps with specific exercises but fails to transfer to other abilities, it follows that benefits are limited in scope. This requires you to avoid overgeneralization and respect the boundaries of the claims made in the text.

   Option by option

   • AYou might be tempted by this based on general knowledge of cognitive development, but the passage is entirely silent on age-related changes. There is no mention of "early childhood" or "adult learning potential" in the text. The distinction here is between a plausible real-world claim and an unsupported inference.
   • BThis option is tempting because it discusses transfer effects, but it reverses the passage's findings by claiming these effects are "substantial". This directly contradicts the statement that gains "rarely extended to unrelated academic subjects". The distinction lies in the direction of the effect: the passage denies what this option asserts.
   • CThis conclusion is derived from combining the observation that participants showed "measurable improvements in tasks directly related" with the finding that gains "rarely extended to unrelated academic subjects". By synthesizing these two points, you can conclude that benefits are task-specific. This is the most complete answer because it respects both the positive and negative findings mentioned in the text.
   • DThis option overgeneralizes by extending the benefits of training to a "wide range of academic subjects". While the passage acknowledges improvements in tasks related to the protocols, it explicitly states that transfer remains "limited and context-specific". The distinction is the scope of improvement: specific tasks versus a broad range of subjects.
7. Question 7 of 10Difficulty 4/5
   The emergence of portable cameras in the late nineteenth century enabled photographers to capture candid moments outside controlled studios, shifting visual documentation toward spontaneous urban life. Early practitioners like Eugène Atget documented Parisian architecture with a documentary intent, yet their work was ignored until later artists recognized its aesthetic potential. Consequently, street photography evolved from a marginal practice into a significant artistic medium that challenges notions of composition and authorship.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • AEarly street photographers primarily focused on documenting the architectural features of major European cities.
   • BPortable cameras allowed photographers to capture every aspect of urban life without any studio interference.
   • CStreet photography immediately replaced painting as the dominant form of visual expression in urban environments.
   • DThe medium's rise to prominence relied on later artists valuing the aesthetic qualities of earlier documentary efforts.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: D — The medium's rise to prominence relied on later artists valuing the aesthetic qualities of earlier documentary efforts.

   Why

   The correct answer requires synthesizing the relationship between early documentary work and its subsequent artistic recognition. The passage states that early efforts were ignored until later artists recognized their aesthetic potential, leading to the medium's evolution into a significant artistic form. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to avoid unsupported inferences and overgeneralisations. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates scope-discrimination inference (qualifiers vs absolutes). The dominant trap is EXTREME_WORDING: an absolute word ('always', 'never', 'all') the passage does not support. Locate scope qualifiers ('in many', 'mostly', 'in coastal regions') in the passage before evaluating each option. Reject options that extend the passage's scope.

   Option by option

   • AThis option is tempting because it mentions Parisian architecture, which appears in the text. However, the passage uses Eugène Atget as a specific example of an early practitioner; claiming photographers "primarily focused" on architecture across "major European cities" overgeneralises a single instance into a broad trend not supported by the text.
   • BWhile the passage mentions capturing moments "outside controlled studios", this option employs extreme wording by claiming photographers captured "every aspect" without "any studio interference". The passage supports the possibility of candid work but does not support the absolute exclusivity or total coverage suggested here.
   • CA candidate might assume a historical rivalry between photography and painting, but the passage is entirely silent regarding other visual arts. Claiming that photography "immediately replaced" painting introduces an unsupported inference and a timeline that cannot be traced to any sentence in the provided text.
   • DThe conclusion is derived by combining the statement that early work was ignored until artists recognized its "aesthetic potential" with the subsequent evolution of the medium into a "significant artistic medium". This synthesis confirms that the recognition of aesthetic qualities was the catalyst for its rise to prominence, distinguishing it from options that introduce external comparisons or extreme claims.
8. Question 8 of 10Difficulty 4/5
   Research indicates that curiosity acts as a cognitive catalyst, priming the brain's reward system before new information is acquired. When individuals encounter knowledge gaps, a state of heightened attention emerges, which enhances memory consolidation regardless of external incentives. This internal drive suggests that the desire to resolve uncertainty is inherently reinforcing, rather than merely a precursor to extrinsic rewards. Furthermore, studies show that curiosity-induced learning persists longer in long-term storage compared to rote memorisation driven by pressure. Consequently, educational environments that foster open-ended inquiry may cultivate more resilient learners who engage deeply with complex material without relying on tangible outcomes.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • ACuriosity typically serves as the main mechanism behind successful learning outcomes in formal education.
   • BCuriosity guarantees superior academic performance in all learners by completely eliminating the need for external motivation.
   • CCuriosity improves memory and engagement by satisfying an internal need to resolve uncertainty, independent of external rewards.
   • DExternal rewards are necessary to trigger the memory consolidation benefits associated with curiosity.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: C — Curiosity improves memory and engagement by satisfying an internal need to resolve uncertainty, independent of external rewards.

   Why

   The correct answer requires synthesizing the passage's description of curiosity as an internal drive to resolve uncertainty with its effect on memory consolidation. By linking the cognitive mechanism of resolving knowledge gaps to the outcome of enhanced retention, it follows that these benefits operate independently of external incentives. This question evaluates the ability to avoid extreme wording and overgeneralizations while identifying a supported inference.

   Option by option

   • AThis option falls into the trap of overgeneralization by framing curiosity as the primary driver for success in formal education. While the text mentions that inquiry-based environments may cultivate "more resilient learners," it does not rank curiosity as the main mechanism among all possible factors. The distinction lies in the shift from noting a specific benefit to establishing an overall hierarchy of learning drivers.
   • BThis option employs extreme wording by claiming curiosity "guarantees" success for "all learners," a level of certainty not supported by the text. The passage describes curiosity as a catalyst that "enhances memory consolidation" but never asserts an absolute or universal guarantee of academic performance. The distinction is the leap from a cognitive enhancement to an absolute outcome.
   • CThis statement is derived by combining the passage's claim that curiosity "enhances memory consolidation regardless of external incentives" with the observation that the "desire to resolve uncertainty is inherently reinforcing." It correctly synthesizes the internal mechanism of resolving knowledge gaps with the resulting cognitive benefits. Unlike the option claiming curiosity is the main mechanism for success, this statement adheres strictly to the passage's scope regarding internal versus external rewards.
   • DThis option applies inverse logic by claiming external rewards are "necessary" for memory benefits. This directly contradicts the passage, which explicitly states that heightened attention enhances consolidation "regardless of external incentives." The critical distinction is that the passage presents curiosity as a self-sufficient driver, whereas this option incorrectly makes rewards a prerequisite.
9. Question 9 of 10Difficulty 4/5
   Rising global temperatures are accelerating glacial melt, which initially boosts river flows but eventually depletes these vital reservoirs as ice volumes shrink. Concurrently, altered precipitation patterns are reducing groundwater recharge rates in arid regions, forcing communities to rely increasingly on diminishing surface water sources. Consequently, long-term freshwater security depends less on total precipitation and more on the resilience of storage infrastructure to manage erratic supply fluctuations.

   Which of the following statements is correct?

   • ADesalination technologies will inevitably replace groundwater extraction as the primary solution for arid region water scarcity.
   • BEffective freshwater management must prioritize adaptive storage solutions over static reliance on natural hydrological cycles.
   • CLong-term water security relies principally on increasing total precipitation volumes rather than enhancing storage infrastructure.
   • DGlacial melt will permanently eliminate all freshwater supplies in mountainous regions once ice volumes vanish completely.
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: B — Effective freshwater management must prioritize adaptive storage solutions over static reliance on natural hydrological cycles.

   Why

   The correct answer requires synthesizing the passage's description of unstable water sources with its concluding claim about infrastructure. By linking the depletion of glaciers and erratic supply fluctuations to the necessity of storage resilience, it follows that management must move away from a static reliance on natural cycles. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to avoid unsupported inferences and extreme wording while recognizing a logical implication. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates directional/causal inference. The dominant trap is INVERSE_LOGIC: reversing the cause-effect or scope stated in the passage. Verify cause-effect direction: does the passage say X→Y or Y→X? Inverse-logic distractors flip the relationship.

   Option by option

   • AThis option introduces desalination, a concept that is entirely absent from the text. A candidate might be tempted by this because it is a common real-world solution to water scarcity, but the passage does not provide any evidence regarding specific technologies. The distinction here is between external general knowledge and the strict scope of the provided text.
   • BThis conclusion is derived by combining the evidence of shrinking ice volumes and reduced recharge rates with the final sentence stating that security depends on storage resilience. The inference is sound because it translates the passage's emphasis on infrastructure over precipitation into a management priority. It is more accurate than other options because it reflects the passage's specific focus on resilience to fluctuations rather than introducing external technologies or extreme outcomes.
   • CThis option employs inverse logic by claiming security relies on precipitation volumes rather than infrastructure. This directly contradicts the final sentence, which explicitly states that security depends "less on total precipitation" and "more on the resilience of storage infrastructure". The error lies in reversing the causal relationship established by the author.
   • DThis option uses extreme wording such as "permanently eliminate all" and "vanish completely", which exceeds the scope of the passage. While the text mentions that melt "eventually depletes these vital reservoirs", it never suggests the total and permanent disappearance of all freshwater supplies. The distinction is between a reduction in reservoirs and the absolute elimination of all water.
10. Question 10 of 10Difficulty 5/5

    Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, a process that splits water molecules using electricity from renewable sources such as wind or solar farms. This method generates zero carbon emissions during operation, distinguishing it from grey hydrogen derived from natural gas. Currently, production costs remain significantly higher than fossil-based alternatives, limiting widespread adoption in steel and chemical sectors. Scaling electrolyser capacity and reducing renewable energy tariffs are considered essential prerequisites for achieving economic competitiveness by 2035. Several pilot projects in Scandinavia and Australia have demonstrated technical feasibility, though commercial viability remains uncertain.

    Which of the following statements is correct?

    • AGreen hydrogen will exclusively power all heavy industry operations once renewable electricity becomes sufficiently abundant.
    • BGovernment subsidies for renewable energy projects will accelerate the adoption of green hydrogen technologies globally.
    • CThe transition to green hydrogen in heavy industry depends on overcoming current economic barriers through technological and pricing improvements.
    • DGreen hydrogen is typically the most cost-effective solution for decarbonising industrial manufacturing processes worldwide.
    Show the answer and the reasoning

    Correct answer: C — The transition to green hydrogen in heavy industry depends on overcoming current economic barriers through technological and pricing improvements.

    Why

    You must synthesise the relationship between current cost limitations and the prerequisites for future competitiveness. By combining the fact that costs limit adoption with the need to scale capacity and reduce tariffs, it follows that economic barriers must be overcome through these improvements. This requires you to avoid overgeneralisation and unsupported inferences.

    Option by option

    • AYou might be tempted by this because it aligns with general green energy goals, but the phrase "exclusively power all" creates an absolute claim. The passage only notes that costs limit adoption in "steel and chemical sectors" without suggesting a total replacement of all power sources. The distinction here is the shift from sector-specific limitations to an unsupported absolute.
    • BThis option appeals to your real-world knowledge of energy policy, but the passage is entirely silent regarding "government subsidies". While such measures might reduce tariffs, you must rely only on the text provided. This is an unsupported inference because the passage does not mention any specific funding mechanisms.
    • CYou can derive this by combining the observation that costs are "significantly higher" with the requirement to scale capacity and reduce tariffs. This synthesis accurately reflects the conditional nature of the transition described in the final two sentences. It is the most complete answer because it respects the passage's cautious tone regarding economic competitiveness.
    • DThis option overgeneralises by claiming the technology is "typically the most cost-effective". This directly contradicts the passage, which explicitly states that production costs remain "significantly higher" than fossil-based alternatives. The distinction lies in the difference between a future goal of competitiveness and the current economic reality stated in the text.