Question

despite the many positive aspects of large - scale additive manufacturing, there are a number of impediments to its wider adoption.
perhaps the biggest obstacle to overcome is its novelty. there is an entire infrastructure built around traditional forms of construction like steel, concrete, and wood, which include supply chains and building codes. in addition, the cost of digital fabrication hardware is relatively high, and the specific design skills needed to work with these new materials are not yet widely taught.
in order for 3d printing in architecture to become more widely adopted, it will need to find its niche. similar to how word processing helped popularize desktop computers, i think it will be a specific application of large - scale additive manufacturing that will lead to its common use.
perhaps it will be its ability to print highly efficient structural frames. i also already see its promise for creating unique sculptural facades that can be recycled and reprinted at the end of their useful life.
35 either way, it seems likely that some combination of factors will ensure that future buildings will, in some part, be 3d - printed.
assessment questions
question 21
how do paragraphs 33 - 35 contribute to the development of ideas in the text?
a. they speculate on the future of additive manufacturing on a larger scale.
b. they outline a proposal for implementing additive manufacturing on a larger scale.
c. they acknowledge the drawbacks of adopting additive manufacturing on a larger scale.
d. they explain why additive manufacturing will most likely replace mass - produced materials on a larger scale.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The paragraphs (from the given text) first talk about obstacles (like novelty, infrastructure, cost, skills) and then about finding a niche, not speculating on the future in a speculative way. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: There's no proposal outlined for implementation; instead, challenges and potential niches are discussed. So B is incorrect.
• Option C: The first part of the text (relevant to paragraphs 33 - 35 context) acknowledges drawbacks like novelty (infrastructure around traditional methods), high cost of hardware, and lack of widespread design skills teaching. Later, it talks about finding a niche. So this option correctly identifies that the paragraphs acknowledge drawbacks.
• Option D: The text doesn't say additive manufacturing will replace mass - produced materials; it talks about finding a niche for 3D printing in architecture. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. They acknowledge the drawbacks of adopting additive manufacturing on a larger scale.