Is the author suggesting that people could be without products they need to survive if companies lack access to rare-earth metals? Which selection from the article supports your answer?

Far from it. The article is very reassuring about the ability of the world to survive regardless of whether or not rare earth materials become unavailable due to political reasons or become depleted naturally.

Explanation:

The author rather speaks to the reality that it may pose some challenge or discomfort if China decides to weaponize the commercial availability of her rare  earth metal using trade restrictions but that it would only lead to one or all of the following:

Cheers!

question 1: d) the old man continued, "in the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own destinies.'"

question 2: d) by providing a different perspective and encouraging the englishman to never give up, the boy him to discover the alchemist.

question 3: c) the stones he gave santiago the boy to recognize omens, which will him on his journey to find his personal legend.

question 4: d) when the englishman wants to quit, santiago doesn’t allow the englishman to give up.

question 5: a) by instructing the englishman to go and try, the englishman is motivated to continue on his journey toward his personal legend.

explanation: