Since multinational grain companies operate so as to maximize profits,

Question

Since multinational grain companies operate so as to maximize profits, they cannot be relied to initiate economic changes that would reform the world’s food-distribution system. Although it is true that the actions of multinational companies sometimes do result in such economic change, this result is incidental, arising not from the desire for reform but from the desire to maximize profits. The maximization of profits normally depends on a stable economic environment, one that discourages change.

The main point of the argument is that

(A) the maximization of profits depends on a stable economic environment

(B) when economic change accompanies business activity, that change is initiated by concern for the profit motive

(C) multinational grain companies operates so as to maximize profits

(D) the world’s current food-distribution system is not in need of reform

(E) multinational grain companies cannot be relied on to initiate reform of the world’s food-distribution system

03SrishtiAgrawal · Answer

Can someone explain why answer is E and not B?

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shameekv1989 · Answer

P1 :- Multinational grain companies operate so as to maximize profits

P2 :- Although it is true that the actions of multinational companies sometimes do result in such economic change, this result is incidental, arising not from the desire for reform but from the desire to maximize profits.

P3 :- The maximization of profits normally depends on a stable economic environment, one that discourages change

Conclusion :- Multinational grain companies cannot be relied to initiate economic changes that would reform the world’s food-distribution system

Main Point is generally the rephrased conclusion of the argument.

Option A, B and C are all premises i.e. a fact statement and not a conclusion. Option D is just not true.

Option E is the actual rephrased conclusion which is what the author is talking about and the rest of the sentences are just there to support his argument.

Answer - E

mggmat19 · Answer

IMO.. 
According to the passage -The economic change does not go hand to hand with business, rather the change is the result of business activity. 1st clause of option B is wrong.

suryakantraycha · Answer

Please understand the conclusion & premise first. Conclusions are marked by conclusion markers such as Therefore, hence etc. & premises are marked by since, because etc.

Since multinational grain companies operate so as to maximize profits (Premise) , they cannot be relied to initiate economic changes that would reform the world’s food-distribution system Conclusion. . Although it is true that the actions of multinational companies sometimes do result in such economic change, this result is incidental, (Counter Premise)  arising not from the desire for reform but from the desire to maximize profits. The maximization of profits normally depends on a stable economic environment, one that discourages change.

Always ask this question: What exactly the author wants us to believe."Kehna kya chahte ho? in hindi "

Reread the question, ask the above question to yourself.

namanqqkm · Answer

its a very interesting question. at first glance I chose option C, but after careful reading all the passage is saying is MNC operate for profits and not for reform, reform is accompanied by economic activities (motives to max profit) and not the other way around as OB says. hence OE which says MNC cannot be relied to INITIATE reform is kinda true as MNC never wants reform or change and always a stable environment to max profits.

guddo · Answer

The conclusion is the first sentence: multinational grain companies cannot be relied on to initiate economic changes that would reform the world’s food-distribution system.

The rest supports it: even when their actions lead to change, it is incidental and profit-driven, and profits usually favor stability, which discourages change.

(A) is a supporting premise.
(B) is a supporting detail about incidental change, not the main point.
(C) is a given background fact.
(D) is not stated.
(E) matches the conclusion.

Answer: (E)

DishaAgarwal12 · Answer

But isn't the passage trying to say with many words that the orps just want to maximise profits (c)

Since multinational grain companies operate so as to maximize profits,

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Since multinational grain companies operate so as to maximize profits,

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