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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 7: Agricultural Researcher

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25 Dec 2024, 00:54

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Hi All,

IMO the answer is B as this will eliminate the external factors that could affect the yields of the crop and improve it
and that strengthens our original argument

Therefore Ans: B

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Hi everyone

We are dealing with Evaluate CR question.
Our goal is to evaluate whether factors other than the hybrid seed might explain the improved yields.

A- The cost of seeds is unrelated to whether the hybrid seed caused the yield improvement. Irrelevant.
B- If local weather patterns improved (e.g., more rainfall), this could independently explain the yield increase, reducing the likelihood that the hybrid seed alone caused the improvement. Correct
C- This identifies which crops benefited most but does not directly assess whether the drought-resistance of the hybrid seed caused the yield improvement. Irrelevant.
D- This might provide insight into seed adoption but does not help determine whether the drought-resistance of the hybrid seed is responsible for the yield improvement. Irrelevant.
E- This might affect the overall yield patterns but does not directly test whether the hybrid seed’s drought-resistance caused the improvement. Irrelevant.

Our answer is B

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B) gives an alternate reason rainfall that could weaken the conclusion that drought capability is the reason for yield improvement and on opp case it would strengthen

Ans B

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Ask : To find whether the new drought resistant variety seed is the reason for higher yields

Options -

A - Irrelevant - talks about expenditure
B - Irrelevant - talks about weather changes like rainfall
C - Relevant - talks about the seed type which has the highest yield propotion
D - Irrelevant - talks about use of other kinds of seeds
E - Irrelevant- talks about number of farms adopting the seed type

OPTION C

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Agricultural Researcher: After several years of declining crop yields due to droughts, Country A’s research center introduced a new hybrid seed specifically designed to be more drought-resistant. Before the introduction of the hybrid seed, farmers used a variety of traditional seeds that had varying levels of drought tolerance. After adopting the new hybrid seed, crop yields significantly improved across the country.

It would be most helpful to find out which of the following in order to assess whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed?

(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds?
(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?
(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement?
(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?
(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent?

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Agricultural Researcher: After several years of declining crop yields due to droughts, Country A’s research center introduced a new hybrid seed specifically designed to be more drought-resistant. Before the introduction of the hybrid seed, farmers used a variety of traditional seeds that had varying levels of drought tolerance. After adopting the new hybrid seed, crop yields significantly improved across the country.

It would be most helpful to find out which of the following in order to assess whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed?

(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds?
The argument is concerned with crop yields improvement after introduction of new hybrid seeds specifically designed to be more drought-resistant and not about farmer's total expenditure spent on purchasing seeds.
Incorrect

(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?
Railfall amounts and drought may be interdependent, but changes in rainfall amounts may not be linked to changes in intensity of drought. Since the argument is concerned with droughts and drought resistance hybrid seeds, even if there are Changes in rainfalls amounts in last two years, the statement can not be used to assess whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed.
Incorrect

(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement?
If new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement, then after adopting the new hybrid seed, crop yields significantly improved across the country. If new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed does not account for the largest proportion of the yield improvement, then improvement in crop yields across the country can not be attributed to new drought resistance hybrid seeds.
Correct

(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?
Since the statement is not about majority of farmers in majority of farmlands using new hybrid seeds, it is not sufficient to assess whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed. There may be a few farmer who continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds, but it is not impact the overall crop yields.
Incorrect

(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent?
The argument is concerned with hybrid seeds which are more drought-resistant and is not concerned with farms specialising in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent. Therefore, the statement can not be used to assess whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed.
Incorrect

IMO C

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The key to assessing whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed is determining whether external factors, such as changes in rainfall, could have influenced the yields independently of the seed's drought-resistant qualities.

(A) is not directly relevant to determining the drought-resistance effectiveness of the seed. Farmers' expenditure on seeds does not inform whether the crop yield improvements were due to the hybrid seed.

(B) is highly relevant because if rainfall increased significantly, the higher crop yields might be due to improved weather conditions rather than the drought-resistant hybrid seed. CORRECT

(C) would help identify the yield improvement but not the cause of the improvement. It does not specifically link the yield gains to the seed's drought resistance.

(D) might provide information about comparative effectiveness, but it does not directly assess whether the hybrid seed's drought-resistant qualities are the main factor in yield improvement.

(E) is unrelated to the effectiveness of the hybrid seed and its drought resistance.

Answer B

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(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds?
The proportion of expenditure spent on seeds is unrelated to the evaluation of whether the hybrid seed's drought-resistant qualities caused the yield improvement.
Eliminate (A).

(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?
This is directly relevant. If rainfall increased significantly, the improvement in crop yields might be due to better weather rather than the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed. Determining if the weather has changed helps assess whether the seed itself is responsible for the yield improvement.
Correct.

(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement?
While this could indicate which seeds are associated with yield improvement, it does not address whether the improvement is due to the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed.
Eliminate (C).

(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?
While this information might provide insights into adoption patterns, it does not help assess whether the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed caused the improvement in crop yields.
Eliminate (D).

(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent?
The type of crops grown could be relevant in assessing overall yield improvements, but it does not directly address whether the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed was responsible for the improvement.
Eliminate (E).

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The correct answer is D

(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds? - Out of context - Out

(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years? - New hybrid seeds have been created after several years of declining crop yields due to droughts, so this is not useful - Out

(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement? - Out

(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds? - This can help to assess whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed or if the improvement is due to the usage of both traditional and new seeds. - Keep

(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent? - Number of farms is irrelevant - Out

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A. Incorrect answer. Out of scope as the total expenditure is irrelevant.
B. Correct. If there have been higher amounts of rainfall in the past 2 years then it means that improvement of crop yields was not due to the new drought resistance quality of the hybrid seed.
C. Incorrect answer. As it has been mentioned, "after adopting the new hybrid seed, crop yields significantly improved across the country".
D. Incorrect answer. It is clearly mentioned that the new hybrid seed has been adopted across the country.
E. Incorrect answer. Out of scope.

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To determine whether the improvement in crop yields can properly be attributed to the new drought-resistant hybrid seed, we need to understand what other factors could have contributed to the improvement. The goal is to isolate the effect of the new seed and rule out other potential explanations.

(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds?
This question is related to the economic behavior of farmers, but it does not directly address whether the crop yield improvement is due to the new hybrid seed's drought resistance. INCORRECT

(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?
This is a crucial question because if weather conditions (like rainfall) improved significantly during the period when the new hybrid seed was introduced, the improvement in crop yields could be attributed to the improved weather rather than the hybrid seed. If there has been an improvement in rainfall, it would be hard to say whether the seed itself is responsible for the improved yields. CORRECT

(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement?
While this question might help identify which type of seed contributed the most to the overall yield improvement, it doesn't specifically address the question of whether the hybrid seed's drought-resistant quality is the cause of the improvement. INCORRECT

(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?
This question could help understand the overall adoption of the hybrid seeds, but it doesn't directly address whether the improvement in crop yields is due to the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed. INCORRECT

(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent?
This question might provide context about the types of crops being grown, but it does not address the central issue: whether the improvement in crop yields is due to the new hybrid seed's drought resistance. INCORRECT

IMO B

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.Question type:

Additional Evidence

Answer choice analysis:

B. Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?

Correct, If this is true then it can form an alternate reason for the rise in the yield which will decrease our belief in the conclusion, whereas if this is false an alternate reason is removed and our conclusion is strengthened.

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Eliminating options one by one to find the question whose answer would be most helpful -

(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds? - The answer to this would only make us know the expenditure & not the improvement in crop yields by hybrid seeds - ELIMINATE
(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years? - If yes, the change in the yield could be because of weather change and not because of adoption of hybrid seeds. If no, the change is because of hybrid seeds adoption - CORRECT
(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement? - Answer to this will give us the different proportion improvement but largest proportion is an extreme to assess yield improvement as we don't know the amount of seeds planted of each type - ELIMINATE
(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds? - Answer to this could be a yes / no. If yes, the improvement in yield could be from traditional seeds or hybrid seeds & if no, the improvement could be bc of hybrid seeds - ELIMINATE
(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent? - This only talks about the farms types but we don't know whether the seeds planted in drought resistant ones are hybrid or both or the higher yield is from what - ELIMINATE

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Irrelevant, as it doesn't help in assessing the effect of the hybrid seed's drought resistance on yield improvements.

(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?

Changes in rainfall could influence crop yields independently of the seeds, making this information crucial for attributing yield improvements to the new hybrid seed.

It may help to identify whether the hybrid seed is a major contributor to yield improvements, but doesn't put emphasis on its drought resistance property.

(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?

Irrelevant, as it doesn't help in assessing the effect of the hybrid seed's drought resistance on yield improvements.

(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent?

Irrelevant, as it doesn't help in assessing the effect of the hybrid seed's drought resistance on yield improvements.

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(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds?
This is not helpful as it is unrelated to the yield improvement or drought resistance of the hybrid seed. The cost of seeds does not help determine whether the improvement in crop yields is due to the seed’s drought resistance

(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?
This is highly helpful. If rainfall increased significantly after the hybrid seed was introduced, it could suggest that improved weather conditions, rather than the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed, contributed to the higher crop yields

(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement?
This is less directly helpful. It might give insights into the contribution of the hybrid seed but it does not help assess whether the improvement is due to the seed's drought resistance or other factors

(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?
This isnt entirely helpful. This might help identify differences in yield between hybrid and traditional seeds but it does not address whether the yield improvement is due to the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed

(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent?
This is not helpful to determine whether the yield improvement is due to the drought-resistant quality of the hybrid seed. The focus is on the impact of the hybrid seed itself, not the types of crops grown

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A: This does not support the adopting of new Hybrid seed. Though expenditure can be an important parameter to look for but it does not provide any substantial evidence in favour of use of new hybrid seeds. Rejected
B: This is for sure an important parameter to consider. If the rainfall or the local weather patter has improved in the last 2 year that this might be the reason behind better crop yield and not the new hybrid seeds. Accepted
C: It does not directly address whether the hybrid seed's drought resistance is responsible for the improvement. Rejected
D: This can be a good question from the research prospective but will not help us in understanding the main cause of crop yield improvement. Rejected
E: This point would have made more sense if there was a comparison between the pre and post shift by the same farm owner or if the same farm was divided between 2 halfs. But with the current information it does not prove anything. Rejected.

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(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds?
(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years?
(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement?
(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?
(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent

The main factor influencing yields might be climate itself and we need to know that to assess the effectiveness of the new crop.

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(A) What proportion of the farmers' total expenditure is spent on purchasing seeds?
(B) Has there been a significant change in the local weather patterns, particularly in rainfall amounts, in the last two years? If this was the case, then the improvement in yields is not clearly related to the new technology of the seeds. Correct answer.
(C) Among all the crops planted, which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement?
(D) Do any farmers continue to use traditional seeds along with the new hybrid seeds?
(E) Are there more farms specializing in crops that are traditionally drought-resistant or in those that are typically more water-dependent?

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[*](A): The proportion of farmers' expenditure on seeds is irrelevant to the question of whether the hybrid seed's drought resistance is responsible for the improved yields.
[*](B): This is directly relevant because a change in rainfall patterns (e.g., increased rainfall) could explain the improved yields, making it unclear if the hybrid seed's drought resistance was the main factor.
[*](C): Knowing which seed type accounts for the largest proportion of the yield improvement does not directly assess whether the hybrid seed's drought resistance caused the improvement.
[*](D): Whether some farmers continue to use traditional seeds does not clarify whether the yield improvements are due to the hybrid seed's drought resistance.
[*](E): The types of crops being grown (drought-resistant vs. water-dependent) do not help determine if the hybrid seed's drought resistance caused the improvement.
==> B

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We know from the prompt that the farmers introduced new hybrid seeds, and then crop yields increased. However, the actual connection between the two is not proven, it's just assumed - and this we need to verify.

(a) Price and cost are both irrelevant to the prompt. Eliminate.
(b) If weather changed, then there's no drought to even fight against, hence hybrid seeds are irrelevant. A good option.
(c) While this doesn't look bad, individual proportion wouldn't help here. For instance, top three names would be at 31-30-29%, which is not illustrative as per the efficiency of the top one. Eliminate.
(d) This is not bad either, but if the answer is 'yes', we still don't have any numerical comparison of the anti-drought efficiency (let's say hybrids only account for 1% or less). Eliminate.
(e) Specialty of farms is surely out of scope, especially without precise numbers. Eliminate.

Therefore, the answer is B.