Innovators are developing a new cutting machine that hopes

Hi,

The argument states that the cutters will identify weeds from crops by color and that this will cut down on labor costs.

Answer (D) says that it is possible to create plants with distinctive colors that are unchanged in other ways.

This provides support for the argument because this potentially provides a way that crops can be made even more distinctive from weeds.

Answers (A) (C) and (E) all give reasons why the cutters might NOT be effective.

And answer (B) is irrelevant.

Let's say the owner of the company is Mr. Burns from the Simpsons.. Will he really care if workers are out of a job?.. In fact, if he can find ways to fire people and still get the same output, he would prefer those ways.. In short, we do not care about the workers...

If its D, then it means that genetic manipulation is necessary for their venture to be successful. In contrast, for E, it means that their technology can utilize existing natural variation in color. Both D and E imply the technology "depends" on something else to be successful. However, genetic manipulation being time consuming and has to the bottleneck of social opposition, it means it is more vulnerable for failure. In contrast, natural variation has not such issue. Hence, E is in more favor than D.

ANALYSIS of STIMULUS

Given:
1. The machine uses cutting blades with optical sensors and microprocessors
2. These sensors and microprocessors distinguish weeds from crop plants by differences in shade of color
3. The inventors claim that the machine will reduce labor costs as it will almost remove the necessity of manual weeding
4. Conclusion (as derived from the question stem): The company should go ahead with its plan to develop a prototype weeding machine.
5. We need to support the plan.

PRE-THINKING
It’s a typical Plan-Goal argument.
We can use a simple framework for solving this question

STEP-1
Identify Plan- develop a prototype weeding machine that distinguishes weeds from crop plants on the basis of differences in shade of color
Identify Goal- lower labor costs by completely removing the need for manual weeding

STEP- 2 What happened during the planning & execution stage?

• Since, the machine works on the concept of color differentiation, in order for the machine to be able to sense and differentiate between the weeds and the crops, the shade of color of the two should be easily distinguishable. If the innovators have accounted for this, then plan’s success is possible.
• Strengthener#1: The color of weed and that of the crop plants is distinguishably different and can be distinguished by the machine.
• Saving on the labor costs is claimed to be a benefit of the machine. The plan to develop the prototype machine will be further strengthened if in the long run, the costs of producing the machine are lower than the cost of labor that it is supposed to replace.
• Strengthener#2: If an option statement shows evidence to bear out the above idea, then it will be all the more feasible for the company to go ahead and implement its plan to produce the prototype machine

ANSWER CHOICE ELIMINATION
(A) Some plants change the shade of their color considerably as they grow.
(This option seems to weaken the claim. If the colour of the plant changes as it grows then the machine may not be able to continue differentiating between the shades.
Incorrect Choice)

(B) When weeding may not be found necessary laborers engaged in that work can find other jobs in agriculture during the growing season.
(This implies labour will still be needed to engage in other manual activities. Therefore, this does not support the claim. Out of scope
Incorrect Choice)

(C) While weeds are being removed manually, the prime consideration to identify them is the shape of the leaf and its overall size.
(This option is more of a weakener since it suggests that human intervention is required while weeding. The parameter here is size and shape which the machine cannot detect.
Incorrect Choice)

(D) Genetic manipulation will allow any species of plants to be bred economically, so that it can have a distinctive shade, color and other characteristics remaining unaltered.
(Per this choice, it is possible to ensure through the mechanism of selection and genetic manipulation of plants to ensure that a particular plant has a distinctive shade of color.
Thus, the prototype machine will be successful in differentiating between the weeds and the crop plants based on their color. Additionally, such manipulation will be economical.
It is in line with strengthener 1 and 2
Correct Choice)

(E) Different species of weeds show considerable variations in the shade of their color.
(If there is a considerable degree of variation in shade of color between weeds of different species, then the machine may not be able to remove all types of weeds. This is a weakener.
Incorrect Choice)

Which of the following is a consideration in favor of the company's implementing its plan to develop the prototype?

(A) Some plants change the shade of their color considerably as they grow.
If this is the case it will be very difficult to pick the right plant this weakens rather than strengthening

(B) When weeding may not be found necessary laborers engaged in that work can find other jobs in agriculture during the growing season.
This couldn't make any sense in the first place in addition work finding is completely irrelevant to the question asked

(C) While weeds are being removed manually, the prime consideration to identify them is the shape of the leaf and its overall size.
If this is the case then the distinction made through the shade of the colour wouldn't be much of any help

(D) Genetic manipulation will allow any species of plants to be bred economically, so that it can have a distinctive shade, color and other characteristics remaining unaltered.
This will help in creating unique shades and categorising it and distinguishing it

(E) Different species of weeds show considerable variations in the shade of their color.
This will also be completely determental to the plan since this lead to the real crops developing into the shades of the plants this will lead to real trouble in distinguishing
Therefore IMO D

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