Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce cro

Question

Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately,   the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones . Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However,  since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise , the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion.

(B) The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.

(C) The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.

(D) The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.

(E) The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

Similar question but with a different boldfaced part:

arvind910619 · Answer

Imo C
D and E can be ruled out safely 
A is out because the argument gives a judgement not context.
B is also out

Sent from my ONE E1003 using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

sayan640 · Answer

The conclusion is :- Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. It starts with "thus" conclusion marker.

"However, since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread" --> This sentence weakens the conclusion...

Since neither of the boldfaced parts is the conclusion , option A is out.

So option C is correct.

Only option A and C are close.

VeritasKarishma   mikemcgarry   GMATNinja .. Is my explanation correct ?

jawele · Answer

Hi

Can anyone please comment in the light of this post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/plant-scient ... 65010.html I agree that it's broad, but the gist of the post is that the second BF can be the main conclusion of the argument. So why is A wrong? There must be something tangible, concrete in order to eliminate it, and right now I don't see clearly why A should be out. Moreover, is this really a GMATprep question, or it's just a some kind of recreation using the information of an official material?

Thanks

gmat1393 GMATNinja GMATNinjaTwo nightblade354

JDF · Answer

This was reproduced incorrectly, which is why people are picking A. The boldface here encompasses more of the text that the official version of this question.

Posted from my mobile device

gmat1393 · Answer

Hi jawele,

For a Bold face CR both the parts of the option should be correct.

Option A is a typical incorrect option pattern in which one part is right and the other part is not.
First part of option A is wrong since the first bolded part does not provide context for the argument rather it presents a circumstance that the argument is against of.

Hope this helps!

jawele · Answer

Hi  gmat1393

Thanks for getting to my question. I beg to differ about the first BF. I disagree that "it presents a circumstance that the argument is against of" as you claim. The author disagrees with the portion that "Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides  would not compensate  for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer." Though true that it may not compensate, the author introduces additional information that shows that it can be profitable.

The author, I feel that it's reasonable to assume so, agrees with first BF because I can't find his disagreement with the claim that "the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones". And since the author agrees with that BF, it can be said that it provides the context for the argument. In particular, the fact that although "the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones", "consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise,   the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread".

Please comment

NandishSS · Answer

HI  GMATNinja ,  generis ,  VeritasPrepErika

Can you throw some light on this Boldfaced question?

GMATNinjaTwo · Answer

If anyone sees this specific version of the question in the GMAT Prep software, please let us know whether it has been transcribed accurately.

In the meantime, please refer to  this similar question , which is definitely an official question from the GMAT Prep software.

mSKR · Answer

is not completely right because of following 2 reasons: 
1. The first supplies a context for the argument 
context for argument is in the first sentence: Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. 
2. the second is the argument's main conclusion. : main conclusion is part of 2nd bold statement, the whole statement is not main conclusion

development: the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones
 will have a certain outcome: for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. 
2nd: is against the prediction ( that genetic seeds would not be grown)

nikita0808 · Answer

mSKR ,  VeritasKarishma ,  GMATNinja  Can somebody please explain, why (B)'s 2nd bold face is incorrect? Is it because the 2nd BF can not be considered as 'state of affair' or because as stated in the option, the argument does not deny being a part of the stated outcome? Or is it something else that is being missed?

KarishmaB · Answer

nikita0808 Check here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/plant-scient ... l#p1405278 The second boldface statement is only "since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise". The question is written correctly on the link I have given.

Nina1987 · Answer

Bunuel ,  nightblade354 : can u pls make the necessary edits to the 2nd BF portion as suggested by  KarishmaB ? This version is making folks click A, skewing the stats. Thank you!

nightblade354 · Answer

All set! Next time, you can click the report a problem button at the bottom of the question and you can submit a report. This might be easier and may get a quicker response.

NPProb · Answer

Alright, I'm confused here, the questions are basically the same both in this post and in this link  https://gmatclub.com/forum/plant-scientists-have-used-genetic-engineering-on-seeds-to-produce-cro-65010.html , except the choice D, while C here is the right answer but wrong in the link question.
Can anybody explain this to me???

KarishmaB · Answer

Check this comment: https://gmatclub.com/forum/plant-scient ... l#p2886125 The question given here has some issues. Ignore it. The other link has the correct question and answer.

egmat · Answer

Hi NPProb,

Great observation! You're right that the stimulus is the same, but here's the key: if even  ONE  answer choice has different wording, the correct answer can change. On the GMAT, every single word in an answer choice matters. Two versions of a question with slightly different choice wordings are essentially different questions.

Rather than comparing across threads, let me help you see why  C  is correct HERE by mapping the argument structure:

1.   FIRST BOLDFACE:  Seeds are expensive, need more water and fertilizer (these are characteristics of a development — genetically engineered seeds).
 2.   INTERMEDIATE CONCLUSION:   'Thus, for most farmers the savings won't compensate for the costs.'  This is the predicted outcome of that development.
 3.   'However...'  — this word signals a pivot, a counterpoint.
 4.   SECOND BOLDFACE:  Consumer demand for pesticide-free produce keeps rising. This is a consideration that pushes AGAINST the negative prediction, leading to...
 5.   MAIN CONCLUSION:  The seeds will likely become widespread anyway.

Now check  Choice C:   'The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.'

- First boldface = development (seed characteristics) → predicted outcome (not cost-effective) ✓
- Second boldface = consideration weighing against that prediction (demand will drive adoption despite costs) ✓

Perfect match.

Key takeaway:  Never compare answer choices across different forum posts. Even tiny wording differences in choices change the correct answer. Always evaluate the choices in front of you against the argument's logical structure.

Answer: C

Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce cro

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Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce cro

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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