Tesla's orders are through the roof. Here's what that means for the planet.

In the opening and closing paragraphs, the author:

• provides evidence that electric car sales are growing, and then explains why they will not solve the problem of global warming
  
• provides an example of increasing electric car sales, and then gives hope that electric car sales will grow and slow down global warming
• describes why the Tesla Model 3 car is popular, and then explains why experts think electric car sales will grow
• states how many orders Tesla received for the Model 3, and then provides evidence proving electric vehicle sales will increase

Read the following sentence from the article.

"Battery cost has come down 70 percent the last four to five years," said Oge.

How does the sentence contribute to the development of the MAIN idea in the article?

• It provides evidence showing why electric car popularity could increase in the future.
• It explains why Tesla has been successful in selling its Model 3 car.
• It describes the impact electric cars have had on the market for regular cars.
• It illustrates the effect electric cars have on reducing global carbon emissions.
  

Which of the following selections from the article BEST develops a central idea?

• Since introducing the Model 3 sedan -- a far cheaper electric vehicle, aimed for broader consumption, than the Model S -- Tesla saw a stunning 276,000 orders in just two days.
  
• Clearly, part of the appeal of the new vehicle is not just its sleekness or new range, but rather, its environmental promise and symbolism.
• Currently, light-duty vehicles sold around the world annually number (get ready to gasp) 88.5 million in 2015, according to Navigant Research.
  
• The upshot therefore remains that given the massive scale of the emissions problem in the transportation sector alone, Tesla can't change the world fast or on its own.

Which of the following selections from the article BEST develops a central idea?

• Since introducing the Model 3 sedan -- a far cheaper electric vehicle, aimed for broader consumption, than the Model S -- Tesla saw a stunning 276,000 orders in just two days.
  
• Clearly, part of the appeal of the new vehicle is not just its sleekness or new range, but rather, its environmental promise and symbolism.
• Currently, light-duty vehicles sold around the world annually number (get ready to gasp) 88.5 million in 2015, according to Navigant Research.
  
• The upshot therefore remains that given the massive scale of the emissions problem in the transportation sector alone, Tesla can't change the world fast or on its own.

Which sentence describes the MAIN idea of the article?

• Although more people may buy Teslas, it will not make enough of a difference for years to come.
• In 2015, people bought 88.5 million cars and trucks.
  
• Experts say other carmakers may now begin competing with Tesla.
• She said that right now, electric cars are just too expensive for many people.
  

What purpose is served by including statistics of decreasing battery costs?

• They provide clues to show that Tesla might be starting a trend of more electric vehicle sales.
• They give hope that global carbon emissions will be significantly reduced.
  
• They explain why Tesla's sales have been so impressive in recent years.
  
• They provide evidence to explain why Tesla alone will not be able to influence the market.

What purpose is served by including statistics of decreasing battery costs?

• They provide clues to show that Tesla might be starting a trend of more electric vehicle sales.
• They give hope that global carbon emissions will be significantly reduced.
  
• They explain why Tesla's sales have been so impressive in recent years.
  
• They provide evidence to explain why Tesla alone will not be able to influence the market.

How do the first and final paragraphs of the article relate to one another?

• The final paragraph argues against the information provided in the first paragraph.
  
• The first and final paragraphs are in agreement with one another on the same topic.
• The first paragraph provides evidence that contradicts information in the final paragraph.
• The final paragraph provides a more complex analysis of the information in the first paragraph.

Select the sentence from the section "A Tough Problem To Solve" that is MOST important to include in the article's summary.

• Emissions from cars and other transportation sources are expected to grow in the future, and if nothing changes, they are expected to total 12 billion tons in 2050.
• Several experts this week said that booming Tesla sales don't make enough of a dent to reduce emissions in a substantial way.
• Even selling 500,000 vehicles a year by 2020 still represents only about a half of a percent of car and light truck sales around the world, said Colin McKerracher.
  
• "It's obviously important for Tesla," said David Reichmuth, a senior engineer in the clean vehicles program at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
  

The central idea of the article is MAINLY developed by:

• highlighting the problem of global warming
  
• demonstrating the large impact of Tesla's sales on global markets
  
• showing how battery prices have decreased in recent years
  
• describing Tesla's impact on the market for electric vehicles