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This is a classic evaluate question that tests your ability to identify what information would help assess whether the argument's conclusion is valid. Let me walk you through the systematic approach.
First, let's map the argument's causal chain:
GM maize produces insecticide → 2. Insecticide is in pollen → 3. Wind carries pollen to milkweed → 4. Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed → 5. Pollen kills caterpillars in lab tests → Conclusion: GM maize puts monarchs at risk
The Core Insight:
The argument shows that when caterpillars eat pollen-dusted milkweed, they die. But does this lab scenario actually happen in nature? The key gap is whether the conditions for this threat actually exist in the real world.
Evaluating Each Answer Choice:
Option A Compares natural vs. commercial insecticides on crop pests - This is irrelevant. We already know the GM pollen kills monarchs; comparing effectiveness on other insects doesn't help evaluate monarch risk.
Option B Compares insecticide levels in pollen vs. other plant parts - We already know the pollen is lethal to monarchs from the given evidence, so relative concentrations don't matter.
Option C Asks about timing overlap between caterpillar feeding and pollen release - This is crucial! If caterpillars don't feed when pollen is released, there's no real-world exposure and thus no actual risk. If they do feed during pollen season, the threat is confirmed.
Option D Whether maize-eating insects die from the pollen - Irrelevant since monarchs don't eat maize; they only encounter pollen on milkweed.
Option E Competition between maize insects and monarchs for milkweed - Off-topic since maize-eating insects don't eat milkweed.
Why (C) is Correct:
Answer choice C directly tests whether the necessary condition for harm (temporal overlap) exists. The answer to this question would definitively tell us:
If YES (caterpillars feed during pollen season) → Risk is real
If NO (no temporal overlap) → No actual risk despite toxicity
This perfectly fulfills what an evaluate question requires - information that would help determine whether the conclusion follows from the premises.
Want to master the complete framework for tackling all CR Evaluate questions systematically? Check out the detailed solution on Neuron by e-GMAT, which breaks down the passage analysis methodology that helps you quickly identify these critical assumptions in under 90 seconds, plus provides a systematic approach to eliminate trap answers that seem relevant but don't actually affect the argument's validity.
Access comprehensive explanations for every Official Guide question on Neuron here.
First, let's map the argument's causal chain:
GM maize produces insecticide → 2. Insecticide is in pollen → 3. Wind carries pollen to milkweed → 4. Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed → 5. Pollen kills caterpillars in lab tests → Conclusion: GM maize puts monarchs at risk
The Core Insight:
The argument shows that when caterpillars eat pollen-dusted milkweed, they die. But does this lab scenario actually happen in nature? The key gap is whether the conditions for this threat actually exist in the real world.
Evaluating Each Answer Choice:
Option A Compares natural vs. commercial insecticides on crop pests - This is irrelevant. We already know the GM pollen kills monarchs; comparing effectiveness on other insects doesn't help evaluate monarch risk.
Option B Compares insecticide levels in pollen vs. other plant parts - We already know the pollen is lethal to monarchs from the given evidence, so relative concentrations don't matter.
Option C Asks about timing overlap between caterpillar feeding and pollen release - This is crucial! If caterpillars don't feed when pollen is released, there's no real-world exposure and thus no actual risk. If they do feed during pollen season, the threat is confirmed.
Option D Whether maize-eating insects die from the pollen - Irrelevant since monarchs don't eat maize; they only encounter pollen on milkweed.
Option E Competition between maize insects and monarchs for milkweed - Off-topic since maize-eating insects don't eat milkweed.
Why (C) is Correct:
Answer choice C directly tests whether the necessary condition for harm (temporal overlap) exists. The answer to this question would definitively tell us:
If YES (caterpillars feed during pollen season) → Risk is real
If NO (no temporal overlap) → No actual risk despite toxicity
This perfectly fulfills what an evaluate question requires - information that would help determine whether the conclusion follows from the premises.
Want to master the complete framework for tackling all CR Evaluate questions systematically? Check out the detailed solution on Neuron by e-GMAT, which breaks down the passage analysis methodology that helps you quickly identify these critical assumptions in under 90 seconds, plus provides a systematic approach to eliminate trap answers that seem relevant but don't actually affect the argument's validity.
Access comprehensive explanations for every Official Guide question on Neuron here.
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