Question

the average summer high temperature in palm springs from june through september is more than 100 degrees fahrenheit. at these high temperatures, few people are comfortable and people older than 65 are at higher risk of heat stroke. yet among retirees over age 65, palm springs is one of the most popular areas to move to and retire. in the 1960s, few people lived in palm springs year - round. today, tens of thousands of people live year - round in houses built by real estate developers to attract people to the area. which statement best describes the role of air - conditioning in this example? a. a product that reflects the shift of manufacturing jobs from the united states to asia b. a technological innovation that has allowed people to adapt to living in hot climates c. an example of the diffusion of technology from hot, humid climates to hot, dry climates d. a technology that has driven the need for energy - efficient buildings

Explanation:

• Option A: The passage doesn't mention manufacturing job shifts to Asia, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: Palm Springs is hot, and air - conditioning is a technology that enables people (including retirees over 65) to live there comfortably, matching the context of adapting to hot climates.
• Option C: The passage has no information about technology diffusion between hot, humid and hot, dry climates, so C is wrong.
• Option D: The passage doesn't discuss energy - efficient buildings in relation to air - conditioning, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. A technological innovation that has allowed people to adapt to living in hot climates