Biology Regents Practice Exam

Consumers who switch to modern lightbulbs are most likely

1. Spending more money for no good reason

2. Trying to stop pollution of the oceans

3. Trading a short-term cost for long-term savings

4. Helping traditional lightbulb factories employ people

The correct answer is: Trading a short-term cost for long-term savings

Switching to modern lightbulbs, such as LED or CFL bulbs, typically involves a higher initial purchase price compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. However, these modern lightbulbs are designed to be more energy-efficient, which leads to lower electricity bills over time. Thus, consumers making this switch are engaging in a trade-off where they incur a short-term cost in exchange for significant long-term savings due to reduced energy consumption and a longer lifespan of the bulbs. This choice reflects a common understanding of sustainable consumer behavior, where individuals make decisions based on the overall lifetime costs and benefits rather than just the upfront expenses. Long-term savings can also contribute to environmental benefits since energy-efficient bulbs typically consume less power, which reduces the demand on power plants and can result in lower greenhouse gas emissions.