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555-605 Level|   Evaluate Argument|                                    
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JAIN09
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 11 Apr 2018, 07:21
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Hi Meghna,


Please help me by resolving the conflict in my assumption in this question-

Profit depends on cost and selling price. Here the author is saying that the switching would unlikely increase profit. Hence the assumption could be that the selling price of both genetically modified feed corn and ordinary corn is same. Hence the answer can be (B).

However, I don't challenge GMAT :). But I am not able to establish linkages between premises to come up with an assumption to arrive at (D) in e-gmat way. Because the premise clearly says that savings in using less insecticide cannnot offset the cost of seed. So even if we use even less insecticide its not going to make too much difference. Plus how can we challenge/change premise.

Can you please guide.

Thanks,
Pritisha

For (B) vs (D), check this link: https://gmatclub.com/forum/scientists-ha ... l#p1382766

Ask if anything remains unclear.


Hi Karishma,
If option B was something like:
Whether the price that farmers receive for feed corn would fluctuate in future.

Will it be a contender then?

Regards,
SR
Show more



VeritasPrepKarishma

iin the post below,it is assumed that "selling price for both the type of corn is same".why we need to assume that selling price is same for both
the argument is talking about profit
here is my 2 scents. please review
profit=price-cost
plan A:GM CORN
plan B:NORMAL CORN
CONCLUSION:WHICH PLAN WILL LEAD TO MORE PROFIT
SO WE NEED INFORMATION ABOUT PRICE AND COST
1)IF AN OPTION SAY GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORNS ARE HIGHER IN QUALITY AND HENCE HIGH PRICE.THEN PROFIT WILL INCREASE
2)IF ANY ANSWER CHOICE SAY THERE ARE WAYS TO REDUCE TOTAL COST IN PLAN B,IT WILL HELP TO EVALUATE THE ARGUMENT
AS COST=COST OF INSECTICIDE+COST OF SEED
COST OF GM modified seed> cost of normal seed
so focus is on insecticide
say:amount of insecticide can be reduced further then last year or say GM corn needs cheaper insecticide,then plan B will lead to more profit
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 12 Apr 2018, 05:14
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JAIN09

VeritasPrepKarishma

iin the post below,it is assumed that "selling price for both the type of corn is same".why we need to assume that selling price is same for both
the argument is talking about profit
here is my 2 scents. please review
profit=price-cost
plan A:GM CORN
plan B:NORMAL CORN
CONCLUSION:WHICH PLAN WILL LEAD TO MORE PROFIT
SO WE NEED INFORMATION ABOUT PRICE AND COST
1)IF AN OPTION SAY GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORNS ARE HIGHER IN QUALITY AND HENCE HIGH PRICE.THEN PROFIT WILL INCREASE
2)IF ANY ANSWER CHOICE SAY THERE ARE WAYS TO REDUCE TOTAL COST IN PLAN B,IT WILL HELP TO EVALUATE THE ARGUMENT
AS COST=COST OF INSECTICIDE+COST OF SEED
COST OF GM modified seed> cost of normal seed
so focus is on insecticide
say:amount of insecticide can be reduced further then last year or say GM corn needs cheaper insecticide,then plan B will lead to more profit
Show more

The argument does not talk about the retail price changing according to the seeds used. So we assume that it stays the same while evaluating our options. If some option tells us that using GM seeds, we can command a higher price for the crop, it is certainly something we should evaluate with reference to the profit. Since the options do not mention it, we do not need to worry about it.
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 24 Jul 2018, 04:06
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Can you please explain why A is wrong
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 24 Jul 2018, 10:12
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Hi teaserbae,

Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resistance to insect pests. Farmers who tried out the genetically modified corn last season applied less insecticide to their corn fields and still got yields comparable to those they would have gotten with ordinary corn. Ordinary corn seed, however, costs less, and what these farmers saved on insecticide rarely exceeded their extra costs for seed. Therefore, for most feed-corn farmers, switching to genetically modified seed would be unlikely to increase profits. --> Highlighted part is the conclusion

Quote:
Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether there are insect pests that sometimes reduce feed-corn yields, but against which commonly used insecticides and the genetic modification are equally ineffective
Show more
The conclusion is related to profit. We need something to evaluate that part. This choice doesn't impact the profit at all.
A "yes" to the option will mean that there are insects that equally impact modified and normal corns. Thus, as per the premise conclusion still holds.
A "no" to the option will mean that there are insects against which both modified and normal corns are equally effective. Thus, as per the premise conclusion still holds.
In either case the conclusion still holds. Thus, A is wrong.

Hope that helps!
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 24 Apr 2020, 07:52
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Understanding the passage

Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resistance to insect pests.

• Scientists have improved feed corns' resistance to insect pests by genetically modifying it.

Farmers who tried out the genetically modified corn last season applied less insecticide to their cornfields and still got yields comparable to those they would have gotten with ordinary corn.

• Farmers who used genetically modified corn last season applied a comparatively less quantity of insecticide to their cornfields.
• Even with the use of a lower quantity of insecticide and genetically modified seeds, the yields were the same as with ordinary corn.

Ordinary corn seed, however, costs less, and what these farmers saved on insecticide rarely exceeded their extra costs for seed.

• Ordinary seeds are cheaper than genetically modified seeds.
• The money saved on insecticide is often less than the extra cost for genetically modified seeds.

Therefore, for most feed-corn farmers, switching to genetically modified seed would be unlikely to increase profits.

• Thus, for most of the feed-corn farmers, changing to genetically modified corn seeds for farming would not likely to lead to higher profits.

Conclusion: For most feed-corn farmers, switching to genetically modified seed would be unlikely to increase profits.

Pre-thinking


Falsification scenario

In what scenario - switching to genetically modified seed would likely increase profits?
Given that:
(i) Genetically modified seeds have a higher resistance to insect pests.
(ii) Yields from genetically modified seeds + less quantity of insecticide = Yields from ordinary seeds + usual amount of insecticide.
(iii) Ordinary seeds are cheaper than genetically modified seeds.
(iv) Savings on pesticides are rarely more than the extra cost for genetically modified seeds.

Though Process
The author talks about two types of corn seeds: genetically modified seeds and ordinary seeds.
The amount of pesticide used with genetically modified seeds is less than the amount of pesticide used with ordinary seeds. However, the yields from both types of seeds are the same. Also, the cost of ordinary seeds is less than the cost of genetically modified seeds. And the savings on the pesticide used with genetically modified seeds are rarely less than the extra cost of the genetically modified seeds. Thus, the author does not believe that using genetically modified seeds will lead to increased profit.

Falsification condition 1: What if the amount of pesticide used last season was more than the amount required with genetically modified seeds?
Let's say the amount of pesticide used last season, although lower than the usual amount, was more than the optimal amount required with genetically modified seeds. Using an even lesser quantity of pesticides will reduce the cost further. This condition would lead to an increase in profits.

Assumption 1: The quantity of pesticide used by farmers with genetically modified seeds last season, was optimal.

Falsification condition 2: What if using genetically modified seeds significantly reduces other agricultural costs?
Let's say the cost of water, the cost of fertilizers etc. is significantly less when genetically modified seeds are used. This condition will lead to increased profits when using genetically modified seeds.

Assumption 2: Using genetically modified seeds does not significantly reduce other agricultural costs.

Answer Choice Analysis

(A) Whether there are insect pests that sometimes reduce feed-corn yields, but against which commonly used insecticides and the genetic modification are equally ineffective INCORRECT
• The evaluation question of this option will provide information about insect pests which are not relevant to the passage. The passage talks about a specific type of insect pest and how they affect yields from two different kinds of seeds.
• The passage talks about the profitability of using one of the two seeds.
• Therefore, this choice is incorrect.


(B) Whether the price that farmers receive for feed corn has remained steady over the past few years INCORRECT
• If the price of the feed corn has remained steady, then the selling price would not necessarily be different for both types of seeds since the option talks about the past few years. The profits could be comparable if the selling price is the same.
• If the price of feed corn has not remained steady, then the price could either have gone up or gone down. In either case, the profit or loss would not be different for both types of seed.
• Hence, this choice is incorrect.


(C) Whether the insecticides typically used on feed corn tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops INCORRECT
• This information is irrelevant to the passage because the passage is not concerned about the price of insecticides used on other crops.
• This choice is incorrect.


(D) Whether most of the farmers who tried the genetically modified corn last season applied more insecticide than was actually necessary CORRECT
• This option is directly in line with our pre-thinking assumption 1.
• Variance test
o Yes - Most of the farmers who tried the genetically modified corn last season applied more insecticide than was actually necessary.
o This would weaken our belief in the conclusion because this case would falsify the conclusion.
o No - Most of the farmers who tried the genetically modified corn last season did not apply more insecticide than was actually necessary.
o This would mean that the quantity of insecticide used would have been optimal, and there is no possible way to increase profits. This strengthens our belief in the conclusion.
o This choice is the correct answer.


(E) Whether, for most farmers who plant feed corn, it is their most profitable crop INCORRECT
• The passage is about the profitability of genetically modified seeds over ordinary seeds. Whether feed corn is the most profitable crop or not is irrelevant to the passage.
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 29 May 2020, 09:27
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resistance to insect pests. Farmers who tried out the genetically modified corn last season applied less insecticide to their corn fields and still got yields comparable to those they would have gotten with ordinary corn. Ordinary corn seed, however, costs less, and what these farmers saved on insecticide rarely exceeded their extra costs for seed. Therefore, for most feed-corn farmers, switching to genetically modified seed would be unlikely to increase profits.

Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether there are insect pests that sometimes reduce feed-corn yields, but against which commonly used insecticides and the genetic modification are equally ineffective

(B) Whether the price that farmers receive for feed corn has remained steady over the past few years

(C) Whether the insecticides typically used on feed corn tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops

(D) Whether most of the farmers who tried the genetically modified corn last season applied more insecticide than was actually necessary

(E) Whether, for most farmers who plant feed corn, it is their most profitable crop

Show Spoiler
Modified Feed Corn

Step 1: Identify the Question

The wording useful to know in order to evaluate in the question stem indicates that this is an Evaluate the Argument question.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument

Note: this argument uses the term “feed corn” interchangeably with the word “corn.” Both terms refer to corn that is grown specifically to feed to animals, not humans. Throughout the argument, there are two types of this corn mentioned: ordinary feed corn (OC) and genetically modified feed corn (GMC).

GMC: pest resist; use less insecticide, = yields OC

OC costs less

Savings on I for GMC not more than > costs for GMC

SO: switch to GMC not likely to > prof

The author concludes that switching from OC to GMC is unlikely to increase profits, since a group of farmers who tried switching found that the costs associated with growing GMC frequently exceeded the savings accrued from reduced use of insecticide. This conclusion assumes that there are no additional savings that could be accrued by using GMC, allowing these farmers to increase profits. It also assumes that there are no opportunities for farmers to sell GMC for a higher price, thereby increasing profits. Is that the case?

Step 3: Pause and State the Goal

On Evaluate questions, the answers will be in the form of a question or a “whether x is true” statement. The correct answer will address an issue on which the argument hinges, depending on whether that statement is true: one way, the argument will be strengthened; the other way, the argument will be weakened.

Step 4: Work from Wrong to Right

(A) This choice is confusing. Re-worded, it says “Whether there are some corn pests that can’t be stopped by either regular insecticides or the GMC.” If there are, then both the regular corn and the GMC would be equally affected. If there aren’t, then both types of corn would still be equally affected. This choice does not affect the conclusion, since it does not address the possibility that farmers could increase profits by switching to GMC.

(B) This choice references feed corn in general; it does not make a distinction between GMC and OC. If all prices have remained steady, the argument is not affected. If all prices have fluctuated, the argument is not affected, since any impact on GMC profits would also apply to OC profits.

(C) This choice references feed corn in general; it does not make a distinction between GMC and OC. The price of insecticide for corn vs. the price for other crops is not at issue in the argument.

(D) CORRECT. If the farmers did apply more insecticide than needed, they could reduce the amount of insecticide even more next season. This further reduction could allow them to save enough money to increase profits, so this opportunity weakens the conclusion. If, on the other hand, farmers applied just as much insecticide as needed, then they would have to do the same next season. This necessity would support the argument’s conclusion that the farmers are unlikely to increase profits by growing GMC.

(E) This choice references feed corn in general; it does not make a distinction between GMC and OC. Whether corn in general is more profitable than other crops is not at issue in the argument.
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GMATNinja karishma can you shed some light on A? I didn't understand the explanation from MPrep..
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 21 Jun 2020, 17:51
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resistance to insect pests. Farmers who tried out the genetically modified corn last season applied less insecticide to their corn fields and still got yields comparable to those they would have gotten with ordinary corn. Ordinary corn seed, however, costs less, and what these farmers saved on insecticide rarely exceeded their extra costs for seed. Therefore, for most feed-corn farmers, switching to genetically modified seed would be unlikely to increase profits.

Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

(A) Whether there are insect pests that sometimes reduce feed-corn yields, but against which commonly used insecticides and the genetic modification are equally ineffective

(B) Whether the price that farmers receive for feed corn has remained steady over the past few years

(C) Whether the insecticides typically used on feed corn tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops

(D) Whether most of the farmers who tried the genetically modified corn last season applied more insecticide than was actually necessary

(E) Whether, for most farmers who plant feed corn, it is their most profitable crop

Show Spoiler
Modified Feed Corn

Step 1: Identify the Question

The wording useful to know in order to evaluate in the question stem indicates that this is an Evaluate the Argument question.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument

Note: this argument uses the term “feed corn” interchangeably with the word “corn.” Both terms refer to corn that is grown specifically to feed to animals, not humans. Throughout the argument, there are two types of this corn mentioned: ordinary feed corn (OC) and genetically modified feed corn (GMC).

GMC: pest resist; use less insecticide, = yields OC

OC costs less

Savings on I for GMC not more than > costs for GMC

SO: switch to GMC not likely to > prof

The author concludes that switching from OC to GMC is unlikely to increase profits, since a group of farmers who tried switching found that the costs associated with growing GMC frequently exceeded the savings accrued from reduced use of insecticide. This conclusion assumes that there are no additional savings that could be accrued by using GMC, allowing these farmers to increase profits. It also assumes that there are no opportunities for farmers to sell GMC for a higher price, thereby increasing profits. Is that the case?

Step 3: Pause and State the Goal

On Evaluate questions, the answers will be in the form of a question or a “whether x is true” statement. The correct answer will address an issue on which the argument hinges, depending on whether that statement is true: one way, the argument will be strengthened; the other way, the argument will be weakened.

Step 4: Work from Wrong to Right

(A) This choice is confusing. Re-worded, it says “Whether there are some corn pests that can’t be stopped by either regular insecticides or the GMC.” If there are, then both the regular corn and the GMC would be equally affected. If there aren’t, then both types of corn would still be equally affected. This choice does not affect the conclusion, since it does not address the possibility that farmers could increase profits by switching to GMC.

(B) This choice references feed corn in general; it does not make a distinction between GMC and OC. If all prices have remained steady, the argument is not affected. If all prices have fluctuated, the argument is not affected, since any impact on GMC profits would also apply to OC profits.

(C) This choice references feed corn in general; it does not make a distinction between GMC and OC. The price of insecticide for corn vs. the price for other crops is not at issue in the argument.

(D) CORRECT. If the farmers did apply more insecticide than needed, they could reduce the amount of insecticide even more next season. This further reduction could allow them to save enough money to increase profits, so this opportunity weakens the conclusion. If, on the other hand, farmers applied just as much insecticide as needed, then they would have to do the same next season. This necessity would support the argument’s conclusion that the farmers are unlikely to increase profits by growing GMC.

(E) This choice references feed corn in general; it does not make a distinction between GMC and OC. Whether corn in general is more profitable than other crops is not at issue in the argument.

GMATNinja karishma can you shed some light on A? I didn't understand the explanation from MPrep..
Show more
The author concludes that “for most feed-corn farmers, switching (from ordinary seed) to genetically modified seed would be unlikely to increase profits.” So, the author compares the profitability of ordinary seeds with that of genetically modified seeds. The prompt then asks us for an answer choice that helps to evaluate the argument. With that in mind, here’s (A):

Quote:
(A) Whether there are insect pests that sometimes reduce feed-corn yields, but against which commonly used insecticides and the genetic modification are EQUALLY ineffective
Show more
The author’s conclusion contrasted the profitability of two types of seed. But (A) gives information on insect pests against which genetically modified and ordinary seeds are equally ineffective. Because the answer choice indicates that both types of seed are equally ineffective against these pests, whether they exist or not, (A) does not help to evaluate the argument, and we can eliminate it.

I hope that helps!
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Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resista 11 Jun 2025, 12:28
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