Quote:
Gortland has long been narrowly self-sufficient in both grain and meat. However, as per capita income in Gortland has risen toward the world average, per capita consumption of meat has also risen toward the world average, and it takes several pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat. Therefore, since per capita income continues to rise, whereas domestic grain production will not increase, Gortland will soon have to import either grain or meat or both
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
A) The total acreage devoted to grain production in Gortland will not decrease substantially.
(B) The population of Gortland has remained relatively constant during the country's years of growing prosperity.
(C) The per capita consumption of meat in Gortland is roughly the same across all income levels.
(D) In Gortland, neither meat nor grain is subject to government price controls.
(E) People in Gortland who increase their consumption of meat will not radically decrease their consumption of grain.
Hi
mikemcgarry,
GMATNinjaTwo,
GMATNinja,
MagooshExpert Carolyn,
sayantanc2k,
#1I know we can eliminate if use negative skill, but I have no idea where my reasoning is incorrect.
here is my reasoning:
the conclusion is Gortland will soon have to import either grain or meat or both
Although per capita consumption of meat has also risen toward the world average, it doesn't necessary mean that whole consumption increases.
for example: if per consumption is 1kg , there are 10m people, then whole consumption is 20m, if per consumption increases to 2kg, but there are 8m people, then the whole consumption is 16m.
we need to know the whole consumption. my assumption is that if whole consumption exceeds production, the Gortland will import.
So i choice B, because if population has remained constant, then i can infer the whole consumption increases and exceeds the production, then Gortland need import.
#2another question, I am not sure the meaning of "
as" in
However, as per capita income in Gortland has risen toward the world average, per capita consumption of meat has also risen toward the world average,if it means simultaneous, then there is no causal relationship between per income increase and per consumption
if it means because, then apparently, there is a causal relationship between per income increase and per consumption
genuinely want your clarification.
Have a nice day
>_~
, there is some confusion because this thread contains two different questions based on the same passage.
But regarding your first question, the argument does not RELY on the fact that the population has remained stable.
B: The population of Gortland has remained relatively constant during the country's years of growing prosperity.
? The author's argument would still hold in that case. You are right that if the population has
, then the argument could fall apart. But that does not make (B) a
assumption.
As for your second question, "as" means "at the same time". This does not tell us whether there is a causal relationship between the two. Maybe there is, maybe there isn't: