Thirty years ago, the American town of Westfield began repossessing farms lost by their
owners as a result of non-payment of taxes. To date the town has planted some 3,600 acres
of community forest on some of this land. The pine trees have grown well. The town forest
yielded the equivalent of £100,000 net profit on pulpwood last year and £95,000 the year
before. Local authorities believe that the net profit on the pulpwood will continue to grow
and eventually reach £300,000 a year from just the present 3,600 acres.
1. The town spends more to cut and sell the pulpwood than it gains from the sales.
2. Westfield's town forest will yield an annual net profit of £300,000 from the present
3,600 acres within two or three years.
The first newspaper in France, edited by Pierre Lebrun, appeared in Orléans on September
25, 1690, and was banned the same day by Justice Georges Bonet. The editor’s subsequent
long fight to continue to publish his paper and print what he wished marks an important
episode in the continuing struggle to maintain a free press.
1. The editor of this paper wrote articles criticising Justice Bonet.
2. Pierre Lebrun persisted in holding to some of his aims.
3. Justice Bonet objected to some of the items published in Pierre Lebrun’s paper.
Assumptions (conclusion follows?)
Investors should consider not only whether a company has ethical policies but also whether
those policies are implemented before risking their money.
1. Companies should have ethical policies.
2. Investors prefer companies with ethical policies.
Many new sources of energy will be discovered, preventing future energy shortages.
1. Once new sources of energy have been discovered, demand for energy will not
exceed supply.
2. The number of new energy sources is unlimited.
There is greater progress in science, environmental protection and education when nations
cooperate rather than work alone.