Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately,...

GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions

Source: Official Guide

Critical Reasoning

Boldface

HARD

...

Notes

Post a Query

Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion.

The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.

The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.

The first provides a certain outcome that the argument seeks to weigh against; the second is a consideration that support the main conclusion.

The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

Solution

Understanding the Passage

Text from Passage	Analysis
"Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage."	What it says: Scientists created special seeds using genetic engineering that make plants very good at fighting off bugs that would normally damage them. Visualization: Normal plants: 70% crop loss from insects → Genetically engineered plants: 10% crop loss from insects Source: Author's statement of fact
(Boldface 1) "the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones"	What it says: These special seeds cost a lot more money to buy than regular seeds, and the plants that grow from them need extra fertilizer and water compared to normal plants. Visualization: Regular seeds: $50/acre + $200 fertilizer/water → Genetically engineered seeds: $150/acre + $400 fertilizer/water What it does: This presents the major disadvantages and costs of the genetically engineered seeds Source: Author's statement of fact
"Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer."	What it says: Because of these higher costs, most farmers won't save enough money on bug spray to make up for spending more on the expensive seeds and extra fertilizer/water. Visualization: Pesticide savings: $100/acre vs. Extra costs: $250/acre → Net loss: $150/acre for most farmers What it does: This draws a conclusion that genetically engineered seeds are not economically beneficial for most farmers Source: Author's logical conclusion
"However,"	What it says: This signals that the author is about to present a contrasting point or exception. What it does: This transition word indicates the argument is shifting direction to present a counterpoint Source: Author's transition
(Boldface 2) "since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise"	What it says: More and more customers want to buy food that was grown without using bug sprays or chemicals. Visualization: 2020: 25% consumers want pesticide-free food → 2024: 45% consumers want pesticide-free food → Trend: Continuing upward What it does: This provides a reason that will support a different conclusion than what was just stated Source: Author's statement of fact
"the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread."	What it says: Despite the cost problems, these genetically engineered seeds will probably become very common and widely used. Visualization: Current usage: 15% of farms → Predicted future: 60% of farms using genetically engineered seeds What it does: This is the author's final conclusion that contradicts the earlier economic analysis Source: Author's main conclusion

Overall Structure

The author presents a technology with benefits and drawbacks, initially concluding it's not economically viable, but then introduces a market factor that leads to the opposite conclusion. The argument follows a problem-solution-new factor-revised conclusion pattern.

Main Conclusion: The use of genetically engineered seeds is likely to become widespread.

Boldface Segments

Boldface 1: the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones
Boldface 2: since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise

Boldface Understanding

Boldface 1:

Function: Lists the main disadvantages/costs that make genetically engineered seeds economically unattractive
Direction: Opposite direction - this opposes the author's ultimate conclusion by providing reasons why the seeds might not become widespread

Boldface 2:

Function: Provides the key reason that supports why genetically engineered seeds will become widespread despite their economic disadvantages
Direction: Same direction - this supports the author's ultimate conclusion by explaining the market demand that will drive adoption

Structural Classification

Boldface 1:

Structural Role: Evidence for an intermediate conclusion that opposes the main conclusion
Predicted Answer Patterns: "consideration that weighs against", "factor that opposes", "evidence for a view the author rejects"

Boldface 2:

Structural Role: Evidence/reason that directly supports the main conclusion
Predicted Answer Patterns: "evidence in support of", "consideration that supports", "reason for the conclusion"

Answer Choices Explained

The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion.

"The first supplies a context for the argument" - ✗ WRONG - The first boldface doesn't just provide background context; it specifically presents disadvantages that create an unfavorable outcome the argument must address.
"The second is the argument's main conclusion" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface is a supporting reason (consumer demand rising), not the conclusion itself. The main conclusion is that genetically engineered seeds will become widespread.

The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.

"The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome" - ✗ WRONG - The first boldface doesn't introduce a development; it describes existing problems (high costs, resource requirements) with genetically engineered seeds.
"The second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome" - ✗ WRONG - The argument doesn't deny that consumer demand will be part of the outcome; rather, it uses this trend to support its prediction.

The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.

"The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome" - ✗ WRONG - Similar to choice B, the first boldface describes existing disadvantages, not a development with predicted outcomes.
"The second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction" - ✗ WRONG - The second boldface supports the main prediction, it doesn't weigh against it.

The first provides a certain outcome that the argument seeks to weigh against; the second is a consideration that support the main conclusion.

"The first provides a certain outcome that the argument seeks to weigh against" - ✓ CORRECT - The disadvantages (expensive seeds, extra resources) create an unfavorable economic outcome that the argument acknowledges and then counters.
"The second is a consideration that support the main conclusion" - ✓ CORRECT - Rising consumer demand for pesticide-free food directly supports why genetically engineered seeds will become widespread despite their costs.

The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

"The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion" - ✗ WRONG - While the second boldface does support the main conclusion, the first boldface actually presents evidence against it by highlighting economic disadvantages. They don't both support the same conclusion.

Rate this Solution

Tell us what you think about this solution

...

Forum Discussions

Start a new discussion

Post

Previous Attempts

Loading attempts...