Sigatoka disease drastically reduces the yield of banana trees and is

I believe B is the answer.

B is correct because the passage states that most large banana plantations are in locations so isolated that fungicides can be used safely there (the premise), and therefore most of the world's banana crops are not seriously threatened (the conclusion). The key assumption here is thus Answer B.


Sigatoka disease drastically reduces the yield of banana trees and is epidemic throughout the areas of the world where bananas are grown. The fungus that causes the disease can be controlled with fungicides, but the fungicides can pose a health hazard to people living nearby. The fungicides are thus unsuitable for small banana groves in populated areas. Fortunately, most large banana plantations are in locations so isolated that fungicides can be used safely there. Therefore, most of the world’s banana crop is not seriously threatened by Sigatoka disease.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?

(A) It will eventually be possible to breed strains of bananas that are resistant to Sigatoka disease
(B) Large plantations produce most or all of the world’s bananas
(C) Sigatoka disease spreads more slowly on large plantations than in small banana groves
(D) Sigatoka disease is the only disease that threatens bananas on a worldwide scale
(E) Most of the banana trees that have not been exposed to the Sigatoka fungus grow in small banana groves

B is the Answer. The Argument states that since Most large banana plantations are located in less populated areas, the crop is not seriously threatened.

But what if small plantations produce the maximum output of bananas? in that case the crop will be threatened. Thus the argument of the author is completely destroyed.
Hence Assumption should be that "Large plantations produce most or all of the world’s bananas" B is the answer.

Size of Banana Plantation is not the same as yield of banana. It may be possible that Small plantations situated in the populated areas has the greatest yield. So in that case the crop is seriously threatened and authors argument do not hold.

So the assumption must be that Large plantations produce the maximum bananas.
Think of it this way. All the best.

conclusion = world's banana is not threatened
fact 1) we can't use pesticides on small B bcoz of location.
2) we can protect lare B and we dont have to worry.
why did author conclude so ?
only B links the gap .

negate B - Large plantations DONT produce most or all of the world’s bananas.
then we should be worried about bananas . hence conclusion breaks .

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________