Every year, the coffee rust causes extensive devastation in many major coffee producing regions of the world, leading to declines in the yield of coffee. In order to address the attacks by coffee rust, these countries are currently debating on enforcing certain changes in the techniques traditionally applied in coffee farming. Thus, if these countries succeed in putting into effect these changes, a significant increase in the revenues of the coffee farmers is ensured.

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument

A. Takes it for granted that the removal of a cause behind low yields will definitely lead to higher revenues. Incorrect

argument doesn't tells us that new techniques will increase revenues, but will happen if successfully applied new techniques

B. Assumes that changes in traditional farming techniques is the only way of addressing the devastation caused by coffee rust. Correct

can be a flaw, because argument assume that new techniques is the only possible way

C. Suffers under the assumption that the changes in techniques traditionally applied in coffee farming can be undertaken successfully. Incorrect

it contradicts with last line of argument, "if these countries succeed in putting into effect these changes"

D. Fails to draw the correct relationship between the expected increase in coffee yields and subsequent revenues. Incorrect

not true

E. Does not consider the impact of changes in techniques enforced in farming of other crops in the same regions, on the yields of those crops. Incorrect

other crops are irrelevant if coffee production increase

Here is the OE !

Solution:
Step 1 – Analyzing the stimulus and question stem
Every year, the coffee rust causes extensive devastation in many major coffee producing regions of the world, leading to declines in the yield of coffee.
• The coffee rust causes immense destruction of the coffee crop in several major coffee producing regions of the world every year.
• This leads to reduced coffee production
In order to address the attacks by coffee rust, these countries are currently debating on enforcing certain changes in the techniques traditionally applied in coffee farming.
• To tackle this problem, these countries are thinking of changing the techniques traditionally used in coffee farming.
Thus, if these countries succeed in putting into effect these changes, a significant increase in the revenues of the coffee farmers is ensured.
• Conclusion: If these changes can be successfully enforced, a considerable increase in the earnings of coffee farmers is guaranteed.

Step 2 – Pre-thinking
1. Necessary Vs Sufficient Condition
a. A necessary condition implies a minimum but not the only requirement for getting a certain result, that is, a necessary condition may not be enough to get the desired result. A sufficient condition implies a condition which is enough to get the desired results.
b. The removal of the coffee rust is a necessary condition but may not be the only or sufficient condition to guarantee the significant increase in earnings. Many things can go wrong. The weather may turn against the crop production, the demand for coffee, and hence the prices could fall.
c. The above argument has assumed that removal of one obstacle is the guarantee of success, in this case, higher revenues.
________________________________________
A. Takes it for granted that the removal of a cause behind low yields will definitely lead to higher revenues.
Option A Feedback:
This choice is in line with our pre-thinking.
Correct Choice.

B. Assumes that changes in traditional farming techniques is the only way of addressing the devastation caused by coffee rust.
Option B Feedback:
This is not the assumption that has been made. The passage just mentions one way of increasing coffee yield. The conclusion incorrectly believes that way to be sufficient for guaranteeing success. This choice is a distortion of given information.
Incorrect Choice.

C. Suffers under the assumption that the changes in techniques traditionally applied in coffee farming can be undertaken successfully.
Option C Feedback:
This is not an assumption made by the argument. It is a part of the given condition in the conclusion. Refer to the line “if these countries succeed in putting into effect these changes”. This choice distorts given information.
Incorrect Choice.

D. Fails to draw the correct relationship between the expected increase in coffee yields and subsequent revenues.
Option D Feedback:
Success in the removal of an obstacle does increase the chances of success (only it does not guarantee the success). Thus, the argument has drawn the correct relationship between increased yields and higher revenues. This choice presents the opposite of what is stated in the passage.
Incorrect Choice.

E. Does not consider the impact of changes in techniques enforced in farming of other crops in the same regions, on the yields of those crops.
Option E Feedback:
Techniques applied in farming of other crops is irrelevant to the conclusion.
Incorrect Choice.