a GRE reading problem.?

Question

Missing in this logic, however, is the fact that all fossil fuels used to make plastics from renewable raw materials(corn) must be burned to generate energy, whereas the petrochemical processes incorporate a significant portion of the fossil resource into the final product. What does a significant portion of the fossil resource into the final product mean? please tell me all you know about this sentence. thanks.

Answer 1

It doesn't need to be put into context, as it already is used in context:



The statement is trying to justify that if you make plastics out of renewable resources, you will spend just as much, if not more fuel (and carbon emissions) creating the product than you would by petrochemical processes.



"a significant portion of the fossil resource into the final product" states that you get a significant amount of product (plastic) by using the petrochemical processes than you would by using raw materials.

Answer 2

It is really hard to understand what this question means out of context. If you could post the whole question, it would probably make a lot more sense.



Trying to piece it together.... it sounds like you have two different uses for oil, making plastic and fuel production, and when you are making plastic, most of the fossil fuels get burned before you actually get a final material. On the other hand, in the "petrochemical" process (making gasoline, I believe) leaves most of the fossil fuel in it even once it is made. I guess a little important background which you probably know is that "fossil fuels" are indeed formed from the remains of long dead plants and animals. So those are the "fossil resoures" that the question is probably referring to.



Hope this helps, and feel free to post a clarification with more details if this answer was insufficient.

Answer 3

I have to agree with Shaun that out of context, it is hard to tell exactly what the question is. It seems to me that this is part of a larger comment on the difference between plastics made from a vegetable base (corn resin) and petroleum base and the amount of energy used to make each. It appears that the author of the question is trying to infer that almost as much oil is used to make corn-based plastics by mere use of the energy put into the processes, only the oil used to make the corn-based plastics is burned for energy, rather than going into the product. So, more or less, it takes more energy to make the corn-based plastics.



Again, I am not sure I agree with this assertion, but without larger context, it is hard to make a fair assessment of the argument. And whether or not the author is taking into account the life-cycle of the plastic products, like corn-based plastics can generally be composted and broken down whereas petroleum-based plastics don't breakdown in a way that is friendly to the environment, not to mention that petroleum-based plastics tend to leach lots of toxic chemicals into foods and water, etc.



But, I suspect that this sentence is commenting strictly on how petroleum is used energy-wise into the different products.