A two-stroke cycle diesel engine requires less starting air than a four-stroke cycle diesel engine, of equal displacement, because the two-stroke cycle diesel engine __________.

Correct Answer: Option D — operates without energy absorbing intake and exhaust strokes

Two-stroke cycle engines fire on every revolution and lack parasitic pumping loops associated with four-stroke intake and exhaust strokes. Consequently, starting air encounters less internal resistance, requiring less overall pneumatic energy to initiate rotation.