While many people think of genetic manipulation of food crops as being

Question

While many people think of genetic manipulation of food crops as being aimed at developing larger and larger plant varieties, some plant breeders have in fact concentrated on discovering or producing dwarf varieties, which are roughly half as tall as normal varieties.

Which of the following would, if true, most help to explain the strategy of the plant breeders referred to above?

(A) Plant varieties used as food by some are used as ornamentals by others.
(B) The wholesale prices of a given crop decrease as the supply of it increases.
(C) Crops once produced exclusively for human consumption are often now used for animal feed.
(D) Short plants are less vulnerable to strong wind and heavy rains.
(E) Nations with large industrial sectors tend to consume more processed grains.

ChrisLele · Accepted Answer

We need an answer choice that provides a good reason for farmers growing dwarf plants. (D) does exactly this by providing a reason plant breeders would prefer dwarf varieties over normal or larger plant varieties: smaller plants are less vulnerable to something negative. In the case of (D), strong winds and heavy rains.

(B) is not saying that farmers will reap more profit by growing dwarf plants. The issue here is number, not size of crops. Thus (B) is irrelevant.

(B) is not saying that farmers will reap more profit by growing dwarf plants. The issue here is number, not size of crops. Thus (B) is irrelevant.

thevenus · Answer

(A) Plant varieties used as food by some are used as ornamentals by others.
 out of scope;illogical

(B) The wholesale prices of a given crop decrease as the supply of it increases.
 supply-costing is not under consideration

(C) Crops once produced exclusively for human consumption are often now used for animal feed.
 not under consideration;not mentioned that who will consume the food crop exclusively.

(D) Short plants are less vulnerable to strong wind and heavy rains.
 this strategy will ensure the proper growth without hassle and increased production.

(E) Nations with large industrial sectors tend to consume more processed grains.
 out of scope.

Sachin9 · Answer

I nailed it but it was difficult recognizing it as a Strengthen Question..

I have a feeling that the new gen GMAT is trying to avoid making it easy for test takers to determine the type of Question ..

Aristocrat · Answer

I fall in same trap.
I thought its Resolve the paradox question.
and looking for the answer choice which solve discrepancy level at both the ends.
So took choice as 'A'

Sachin9 · Answer

Guess there's no way other than carefully reading and comprehending the entire prompt to avoid the trap..

SVaidyaraman · Answer

Unstated Premise of the argument: It is beneficial to produce dwarf varieties
Conclusion o the argument: "some plant breeders have in fact concentrated on discovering or producing dwarf varieties,"

Explaining this strategy is the same as strengthening the argument.

D is the answer because it directly shows the benefit of the dwarf varieties which is that of reducing the wastage. B doesn't conclusively show that dwarf varieties increase the supply of a crop.

commdiver · Answer

D

To answer this question, you must find an answer choice that explains why a farmer would want to grow smaller plants. Answer choice D is the only choice that gives a reason. The other answer choices are out of scope and irreverent.

Amit1408GMAThunk · Answer

Yipee, got the correct answer as D.

Option A:- Does not affect the argument

Option B:- Does not affect the argument

Option C:- Does not affect the argument

Option D:- Strengthens the argument

Option E:- Does not affect the argument

Hence D.

russ9 · Answer

The powerscore bible classifies this as Resolve the Paradox/Explain the discrepancy, so the MGMAT.

I was under the assumption that those two types of questions needed to touch on  both ends on the topic  (small and big plants), hence trap A. Can someone explain why that is not the case here and how can we only address the "short plants" and get it right?

bkhan · Answer

Right answer doesn't need to touch both ends. We just need to make sure that we explain the reason why the one end is actually inline with the seemingly opposite end.

sach24x7 · Answer

I got the answer right "D". But could not find the strong reason to eliminate "A". Can you please help?

BrainLab · Answer

Hi Russ9, you are absolutely right. It's a resolve a Paradox question and not a strengthen question as stated by many here. And yes, the right answer should touch both ends... and you have this situation in choice D -->
(D)   Short   plants are less vulnerable       to strong wind and heavy rains.

BrainLab · Answer

I think (A) is wrong, because it doent's adress any of the both sides here (Short plnats or long/large plants) --> it's just talking about Plant varieties used as food by some are used as ornamentals by others.

ScantyKnight · Answer

I get why it can't be any other answer choice than D, because D is the only alternative comparing short plants to other plants. However, we don't know whether strong wind and heavy rains are a problem for large plants. If the text stated something about this being a problem, I wouldn't have a problem understanding the logic in the answer choice, or if D said something that actually showed that it was a useful advantage. By showing I mean proving how it solves an actual problem.

I'm not saying it is flawed, I'm just saying I don't understand why it's not.
Thanks for any help!

I'm not saying it is flawed, I'm just saying I don't understand why it's not.
Thanks for any help!

kanigmat011 · Answer

Fell for A 
Somehow din't realized the exact argument

herbgatherer · Answer

I fell for A. After further analysis, my understanding of why A is wrong: It doesn't speak about why "some plant breeders have in fact concentrated on discovering or producing dwarf varieties"

The trap in A is our assumption of "ornamental" plants being short. Quite a good question!

ZenYogi · Answer

B is not the definitive answer since the dwarf variety could theoretically produce more yield than the larger variety, which would not be to the benefit of plant breeders, if B were to be true. 
What D offers is definitely an advantage. Hence D.

abhishekdadarwal2009 · Answer

A) Plant varieties used as food by some are used as ornamentals by others.
 this is little trappy since its saying that some plants are for food and some plants are ornamental,but what this choice actually means is that the same palnts are used for food by some are used as ornament by others and this theory is incorrect. as food palnts used for ornamental use is not the purpose of the changes. 
(B) The wholesale prices of a given crop decrease as the supply of it increases.
 out of scope 
(C) Crops once produced exclusively for human consumption are often now used for animal feed.
 out of scope 
(D) Short plants are less vulnerable to strong wind and heavy rains.
 Correct reasoning and approvpriate answer to the reason why the palnts are modified to be smaller and shorter. 
(E) Nations with large industrial sectors tend to consume more processed grains.
 Out of scope

GMATin · Answer

I reviewed this question after marking the incorrect answer and realised my mistake. Explaining it below for anyone who thought A should have been the answer.

The pre-thinking scenario makes it clear that we are looking for a reason why growing dwarf plants is actually a valid strategy. However, let's note here that characteristic of the dwarf plants here is that the plants itself grow only half the length of normal plants. It doesn't say anything about the actual food crop and whether its size gets impacted in any way.

With that in mind, clearly the answer cannot be A. This is because when we don't know if the actual food is getting smaller, we cannot assert that it is being used for ornamental purpose.

While many people think of genetic manipulation of food crops as being

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