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Director
Joined: 06 Jan 2008
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Scientists have made genetic modifications to cotton to [#permalink]
 29 May 2008, 07:53
Question Stats:
0% (00:00) correct
100% (00:38) wrong based on 0 sessions
Scientists have made genetic modifications to cotton to increase its resistance to insect
pests. According to farmers’ reports, the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control
insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those
who did not. Therefore, since the modified seed costs more than ordinary seed without
producing yields of higher market value, switching to the modified seed would be
unlikely to benefit most cotton farmers economically.
Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?
A. Whether farmers who tried the modified cotton seed had ever tried growing other
crops from genetically modified seed
B. Whether the insecticides typically used on ordinary cotton tend to be more
expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops
C. Whether for most farmers who grow cotton it is their primary crop
D. Whether the farmers who have tried the modified seed planted as many acres of
cotton, on average, as farmers using the ordinary seed did
E. Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had
previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide
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Director
Joined: 23 Sep 2007
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B & D, but neither choice is convincing
choose D because the type of insecticides are not discussed in the passage
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Intern
Joined: 29 May 2008
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D should be the answer as it is closest to evaluating the argument
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Manager
Joined: 16 Jan 2008
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D seems closer
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VP
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saravalli wrote: Scientists have made genetic modifications to cotton to increase its resistance to insect
pests. According to farmers’ reports, the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control
insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those
who did not. Therefore, since the modified seed costs more than ordinary seed without
producing yields of higher market value, switching to the modified seed would be
unlikely to benefit most cotton farmers economically.
Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?
A. Whether farmers who tried the modified cotton seed had ever tried growing other
crops from genetically modified seed
B. Whether the insecticides typically used on ordinary cotton tend to be more
expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops
C. Whether for most farmers who grow cotton it is their primary crop
D. Whether the farmers who have tried the modified seed planted as many acres of
cotton, on average, as farmers using the ordinary seed did
E. Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had
previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide I choose E. The argument is comparing two instances: First, when the farmers did not try modified seeds. Second, when the farmers tried the modified seeds. If these farmers used exceptionally large quantities of insecticide, the these farmers are not representative of the general farmers pool. This means that the conclusion is skewed; thus, knowing this will help evaluate the argument.
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VP
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I don't think D is right. The argument clearly states that the amount of insecticide is PER ACRE. This means that it doesn't matter how many acre are being used.
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Manager
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
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saravalli wrote: Scientists have made genetic modifications to cotton to increase its resistance to insect
pests. According to farmers’ reports, the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control
insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those
who did not. Therefore, since the modified seed costs more than ordinary seed without
producing yields of higher market value, switching to the modified seed would be
unlikely to benefit most cotton farmers economically.
Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?
A. Whether farmers who tried the modified cotton seed had ever tried growing other
crops from genetically modified seed
B. Whether the insecticides typically used on ordinary cotton tend to be more
expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops
C. Whether for most farmers who grow cotton it is their primary crop
D. Whether the farmers who have tried the modified seed planted as many acres of
cotton, on average, as farmers using the ordinary seed did
E. Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had
previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide you want the answer that would have an impact on the results that were found in the argument. D seems to fit most appropriately because the amount of crop used per genetically modified seed could have an impact on results.
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SVP
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B
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CEO
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Straight D . Thats the only economic comparison between farmers with ordinary seeds and with modified seeds.
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Director
Joined: 06 Jan 2008
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OA: E Thanks. 
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Manager
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E???
Dang...
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Director
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E
Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide. The argument is that the one who uses modified seed did not really save much use of insecticide. But if the farmer who previously had to use large amount of insecticide to fend the crops, they would have saved tons of money by using modified seed. Since those who used modified seeds are all previously heavy damaged.
I hope this make sense for you guys.
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Manager
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Wow. I got E easily. Need explanation.
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CEO
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E[OS] - ordinary seed [MS] - modified seed [GO] - farmers that used [OS] [GM] - farmers that used [MS] [A] - the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control insect pests The argument says that [A] for [GM] is slightly lower than [A] for [GO]. Therefore, there are no economic reasons to use [MS]. We need here evaluate for correct comparison whether [GM] represents the same group of [GO] in average. E says that it is not true.
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walker wrote: E
[OS] - ordinary seed
[MS] - modified seed
[GO] - farmers that used [OS]
[GM] - farmers that used [MS]
[A] - the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control insect pests
The argument says that [A] for [GM] is slightly lower than [A] for [GO]. Therefore, there are no economic reasons to use [MS].
We need here evaluate for correct comparison whether [GM] represents the same group of [GO] in average. E says that it is not true. I agree with you. However, B also says: "Hey! There is another variable (price of insecticides) to take into account, and that is cheaper for [MS]". You also need to know that for correct comparison. Please clarify. Thanks.
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