Farmer: Family farmers in developing nations generally own no more
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09 Mar 2024, 12:58
Farmer: Family farmers in developing nations generally own no more than a few acres. Most modern farming technology is too expensive to use on such small areas. Thus, family farmers growing grain crops cannot compete against huge, efficient, and subsidized factory farms. So family farmers should focus instead on growing specialized crops such as ginseng or gourmet mushrooms, which require the use of intense, skilled human labor rather than large-scale technology, since __________.
Reading the passage, we see that it presents a conclusion:
family farmers should focus instead on growing specialized crops such as ginseng or gourmet mushrooms, which require the use of intense, skilled human labor rather than large-scale technology
In the passage, there is some support for that conclusion:
Family farmers in developing nations generally own no more than a few acres. Most modern farming technology is too expensive to use on such small areas. Thus, family farmers growing grain crops cannot compete against huge, efficient, and subsidized factory farms.
Then, after the conclusion in the passage is "since __________."
In such a context, "since" is an evidence marker. In other words, what follows "since" should say why the conclusion that precedes "since" is true. In other words, what follows since should support the conclusion.
Which of the following would, if true, most logically complete the farmer’s argument?
The correct answer will logically fill the blank by providing additional support for the conclusion that "family farmers should focus instead on growing specialized crops such as ginseng or gourmet mushrooms, which require the use of intense, skilled human labor rather than large-scale technology."
A. growing grain crops does not generally require the use of modern farming technology
The fact that "growing grain crops does not generally require the use of modern farming technology" does not support the conclusion that "family farmers should focus ... on growing specialized crops such as ginseng or gourmet mushrooms."
If anything, it seems to indicate that family farms could grow grain crops since, according to the passage, "most modern farming technology is too expensive" to be used on family farms.
Eliminate.
B. family farms are better able than factory farms to make effective use of such labor
The reasoning of the argument is that family farms should "focus ... on growing specialized crops ..., which require the use of intense, skilled human labor rather than large-scale technology" because small family farms that grow grain crops cannot compete with factory farms.
Now, this choice provides additional support for the conclusion by indicating that family farms that grow specialized crops will be able to compete with factory farms. After all, if it's true that, as this choice says, "family farms are better able than factory farms to make effective use of such labor," then family farms will have an advantage in the business of growing crops that require such labor.
So, this choice logically follows "since" in the passage since it provides addtional support for the conclusion.
Keep.
C. factory farms may before very long be able to use modern farming technology extensively to grow such crops
If anything, this choice weakens the case for the conclusion.
After all, if factory farms may be able to use modern farming technology to grow specialized crops such as ginseng or gourmet mushrooms, then it may be that family farmers won't gain any advantage by growing those crops rather than grain crops.
So, this choice doesn't logically follow "since" in the passage since this choice weakens, rather than provides support for, the conclusion.
Eliminate.
D. the vast size of factory farms enables them to afford modern farming technology
This choice doesn't do what we need.
To logically follow "since" in the passage, the correct answer must provide additional support for the conclusion.
This choice, on the other hand, explains why, or supports the premise that, factory farms can afford modern farming technology.
The argument already states as fact that family farms growing grain crops cannot compete with factory farms because family farms cannot afford modern farming technology. We don't need an explanation for or confirmation of that fact. After all, confirming something already stated as fact doesn't make that fact any more true and thus does not provide additional support for the conclusion.
Eliminate.
E. there is not a large supply of such labor in some developing countries that grow these crops
If anything, this choice does the opposite of what we need.
To logically follow "since" in the passage, the correct answer must support the main conclusion, which precedes "since." However, if anything, this choice casts doubt on the conclusion that "family farmers should focus instead on growing specialized crops such as ginseng or gourmet mushrooms, which require the use of intense, skilled human labor." After all, this choice indicates that the labor required for growing such crops may not be available or may not be affordable because there is not a large supply of labor.
Eliminate.
Correct answer: B