Solton RFP Comprehension Slides
F
Futura Engineering | Civil Engineering Division
Dossier: Chapter 1 (Pages 56–57)
Request for Proposals (RFP) Reading Check
Solton Rooftop Project:
Reading Comprehension Challenge
Test your knowledge of the city context, engineering criteria, and project constraints outlined in the City of Solton RFP.
10 Questions
Multiple Choice
Location
Solton, Arizona
Self-Checking
Answer & Explanation Follows
Question 01 Location & Climate Context
Page 56 (A2)
Where is the city of Solton located, and what describes its local climate?
A Southern Arizona in a hot, dry desert climate
B Northern California near coastal redwood rainforest valleys
C Central Colorado in a high-elevation alpine mountain range
D Eastern Texas along a subtropical coastal wetland plain
Read page 56 to review Solton's location.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 01 Review
Page 56 (A2)
Correct Answer: A
Southern Arizona in a hot, dry desert climate
Evidence from the Text:
Page 56 opens: "Solton is a city located in southern Arizona... Solton's climate is hot and dry, with more than three hundred hot days each year." The photo caption also states that Solton is located in an area with a desert climate.
Key Takeaway: Desert conditions create extreme cooling demand Proceed to Question 02
Question 02 Energy Consumption
Page 56 (A2)
Why do most buildings in Solton operate air conditioners year-round?
A Heavy winter snowfall forces buildings to trap indoor humidity
B It has over 300 hot days each year in a desert climate
C Dense pollution clouds lock geothermal heat into city streets
D Local city laws mandate continuous refrigeration for all rooms
Review paragraph two on page 56.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 02 Review
Page 56 (A2)
Correct Answer: B
It has over 300 hot days each year in a desert climate
Evidence from the Text:
Page 56 notes that Solton has "more than three hundred hot days each year." Because the weather is nearly always warm or hot, buildings rely on air conditioning year-round, especially in offices and hospitals to protect people and equipment.
Key Takeaway: Constant cooling causes high electrical demand Proceed to Question 03
Question 03 Climate Mechanism
Page 57 (A3)
According to the RFP, why does air conditioning usage contribute to rising temperatures?
A Older rooftop cooling units leak toxic gases into the atmosphere
B Power plants burn fuels to generate electricity, releasing CO2
C Electric lines lose heat energy that warms the desert sky above town
D Exhaust vents create hot air bubbles that linger over street canyons
Look under Criterion 1 on page 57.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 03 Review
Page 57 (A3)
Correct Answer: B
Power plants burn fuels to generate electricity, releasing CO2
Evidence from the Text:
Page 57 explains under Criterion 1: "Air conditioning requires a lot of electricity, and most of the electricity we use is generated through combustion (burning) of fuels at power plants... Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to Earth's increasing temperature."
Key Takeaway: Combustion at power plants is the carbon dioxide source Proceed to Question 04
Question 04 Engineering Approach
Page 56 (A2)
What specific solution has Futura chosen to investigate to lower Solton's climate impact?
A Installing geothermal pumps beneath every commercial foundation
B Constructing large wind turbines along open desert access roads
C Making changes to the roofs of city buildings
D Replacing asphalt pavements with permeable crushed gravel paths
Review the final paragraph on page 56.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 04 Review
Page 56 (A2)
Correct Answer: C
Making changes to the roofs of city buildings
Evidence from the Text:
Page 56 states: "Futura is working with Solton to provide some proposals and has decided to look at roof modifications (in other words, making changes to the roofs of buildings) as a way to reduce Solton's climate impact."
Key Takeaway: The engineering team is modifying rooftops Proceed to Question 05
Question 05 Design Criteria
Page 57 (A3)
What are the three criteria that every successful proposal must meet?
A Reducing climate impact, preserving historic value, and keeping costs low
B Expanding downtown roadways, doubling annual tourism, and lowering utility taxes
C Eliminating city trash production, repaving streets, and adding solar streetlamps
D Increasing urban vegetation, constructing shade awnings, and reducing water usage
Scan the bold numbered section titles on page 57.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 05 Review
Page 57 (A3)
Correct Answer: A
Reducing climate impact, preserving historic value, and keeping costs low
Evidence from the Text:
Page 57 explicitly highlights the three project criteria:
1. Reduce the city's climate impact
2. Preserve the historic value of the city's buildings
3. Keep costs low
Key Takeaway: Engineers must balance all three criteria Proceed to Question 06
Question 06 Historic Preservation
Pages 56–57
Why is preserving the historic value of Solton's buildings important to the community?
A Historic buildings attract visitors whose tourism helps local business
B State laws strictly forbid modifying any property built before nineteen-fifty
C Old structures contain delicate historic artifacts damaged by modern materials
D Historic masonry provides essential earthquake protection for the surrounding area
Read Criterion 2 on page 57.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 06 Review
Page 57 (A3)
Correct Answer: A
Historic buildings attract visitors whose tourism helps local business
Evidence from the Text:
Under Criterion 2 on page 57, the RFP states: "The buildings are very old, and the people of the city consider them both beautiful and valuable. People also visit the city to see the buildings, and this brings business to Solton."
Key Takeaway: Historic character supports Solton's tourist economy Proceed to Question 07
Question 07 Rooftop Architecture
Page 57 (A3)
Why do pitched (slanted) roofs create a challenge for preserving historic value?
A Heavy solar hardware causes severe roof structural damage on slanted frames
B Slanted modifications are easily seen from street level
C Rainwater collects behind panels, eroding historic decorative brick facades
D Glare from slanted surfaces blinds passing motorists along nearby highways
Review the discussion of pitched roofs under Criterion 2.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 07 Review
Page 57 (A3)
Correct Answer: B
Slanted modifications are easily seen from street level
Evidence from the Text:
Page 57 states: "However, changing the roofs can affect the historic value of these buildings, especially when the buildings have pitched (slanted) roofs so that the changes are easy to see from street level."
Key Takeaway: Visible alterations can diminish historic appeal Proceed to Question 08
Question 08 Design Constraints
Page 57 (A3)
Which structural restriction is an explicit constraint named in the Solton RFP?
A Prohibiting changes to roof shape or roof direction
B Banning the installation of insulation in historic residential attics
C Disallowing contractors from replacing damaged masonry with modern brick
D Requiring engineers to preserve original wooden joists under all ceilings
Examine the bulleted constraint list at the bottom of page 57.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 08 Review
Page 57 (A3)
Correct Answer: A
Prohibiting changes to roof shape or roof direction
Evidence from the Text:
The first bullet point under constraints on page 57 clearly dictates: "The proposed design must not include any major structural changes to the buildings, such as changes in the shape or direction of the roof."
Key Takeaway: Constraints place strict boundaries on viable designs Proceed to Question 09
Question 09 Environmental Constraints
Page 57 (A3)
What rule does the RFP establish regarding trees in the city of Solton?
A Designers cannot trim branches near utility wires
B Crews must not cut down any trees to meet the criteria
C Property owners are forbidden from planting non-native desert cacti
D Landscapers may not remove ornamental bushes surrounding historic storefronts
Check the second constraint bullet point on page 57.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 09 Review
Page 57 (A3)
Correct Answer: B
Crews must not cut down any trees to meet the criteria
Evidence from the Text:
The second constraint on page 57 explicitly mandates: "The proposed design must not involve cutting down any trees in order to better meet the criteria." Existing shade trees must remain untouched even if they cast shadows over roofs.
Key Takeaway: Existing trees must be preserved in all designs Proceed to Question 10
Question 10 Allowable Technologies
Page 57 (A3)
According to the RFP constraints, which two roof modification types are permitted?
A Vegetated green roofs and reflective metal tiles
B White roofs and solar roofs
C Terracotta tile roofs and shaded fabric canopies
D Dark shingle roofs and clear glass skylights
Read the final constraint bullet point on page 57.
Select your answer before moving forward
Answer & Explanation Question 10 Review
Page 57 (A3)
Correct Answer: B
White roofs and solar roofs
Evidence from the Text:
The third constraint at the conclusion of page 57 specifies: "The roof modifications include only white roofs and solar roofs." Futura interns must focus exclusively on testing combinations of these two modifications.
Key Takeaway: Engineering solutions are limited strictly to white and solar roofs Quiz Complete!
