From 1973 to 1986, growth in the United States economy was over 33 percent, while the percent growth in United States energy consumption was zero. The number of barrels of oil being saved per day by energy-efficiency improvements made since 1973 is now 13 million.

If the information above is correct, which of the following conclusions can properly be drawn on the basis of it?

A. It is more difficult to find new sources of oil than to institute new energy-conservation measures.

B. Oil imports cannot be reduced unless energy consumption does not grow at all.

C. A reduction in the consumption of gasoline was the reason overall energy consumption remained steady.

D. It is possible for an economy to grow without consuming additional energy.

E. The development of nontraditional energy sources will make it possible for the United States economy to grow even faster.

Answer: D

Explanation:

We are given a comparison between 'economic growth' and 'growth energy consumption' and told that the first increased and the second did not. We are also told that a certain amount of oil is being saved by energy improvements. As it is difficult to infer a likely answer in 'must or could be true' type questions, we'll go over all of the options, the Alternative approach.

A. We have no information on the relative ease of finding new sources of oil. No

B. We have no information on how to reduce oil imports. No

C. We have no information on what caused energy consumption to remain steady. No

D. This is exactly what happened so is true. This is almost certainly our answer, let's go over (Correct)

E. We have no information on the link between development of energy sources and growth. No

(D) is our answer; note that all other answers explicitly added information not in the original passage. This is what you need to watch out for in these types of questions.