Unlike other primroses, self-pollinating primroses do not need to rely

Question

Competition Mode Question

Unlike other primroses, self-pollinating primroses do not need to rely on insects for pollination. In many years insect pollinators are scarce, and in those years a typical non-self-pollinating primrose produces fewer seeds than does a typical self-pollinating primrose. In other years, seed production is approximately equal. Thus, self-pollinating primroses have the advantage of higher average seed production. Aside from seed production, these self-pollinating primroses are indistinguishable from non-self-pollinating primroses. Nevertheless, self-pollinating primrose plants remain rare among primroses.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

(A) Insects that collect pollen from primroses do not discriminate between self-pollinating primroses and non-self-pollinating primroses.

(B) When insect pollinators are scarce, non-self-pollinating primroses produce larger seeds that are more likely to germinate than are seeds from self-pollinating primroses.

(C) Self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with few insects produce no fewer seeds than do self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with many insects.

(D) Many primroses are located in areas in which the soil conditions that are optimal for seed germination are not present.

(E) Self-pollinating primroses can be assisted by insects during pollination but do not require the assistance of insects to be pollinated.

ArunSharma12 · Accepted Answer

(A) Insects that collect pollen from primroses do not discriminate between self-pollinating primroses and non-self-pollinating primroses.
 If Insects do not discriminate then there lies equal probability for both primroses to pollinate.

(B) When insect pollinators are scarce, non-self-pollinating primroses produce larger seeds that are more likely to germinate than are seeds from self-pollinating primroses.
 This explains why non-self-pollinating primroses have greater chances of germinating than self-pollinating primroses when insects are rare and when insects are plenty non-self-pollinating primroses have greater chances of pollinating. Hence, self-pollinating primrose plants remain rare among primroses.

(C) Self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with few insects produce no fewer seeds than do self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with many insects.
 Self-pollinating primroses are dependent on insects for pollinating

(D) Many primroses are located in areas in which the soil conditions that are optimal for seed germination are not present.
 this would affect both types of primroses.

(E) Self-pollinating primroses can be assisted by insects during pollination but do not require the assistance of insects to be pollinated.
 This do not explain why they are less in number compared to non-self-pollinating primroses

ravigupta2912 · Answer

(A) Insects that collect pollen from primroses do not discriminate between self-pollinating primroses and non-self-pollinating primroses. -- Incorrect. Does not provide any reasoning to explain the paradox presented in the argument.

(B) When insect pollinators are scarce, non-self-pollinating primroses produce larger seeds that are more likely to germinate than are seeds from self-pollinating primroses. -- Lets keep this. It gives a potential reason to explain the larger population of non-self pollinating vis-a-vis self-pollinating primroses. After review of other choices, B is the winner.

(C) Self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with few insects produce no fewer seeds than do self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with many insects. -- Incorrect. Its comparing SP primroses in two different conditions. Completely irrelevant.

(D) Many primroses are located in areas in which the soil conditions that are optimal for seed germination are not present. -- Incorrect. No argument per se is advanced here to explain the paradox. If soil conditions are not optimal, then it should affect both. It doesn't resolve the paradox.

(E) Self-pollinating primroses can be assisted by insects during pollination but do not require the assistance of insects to be pollinated. -- Incorrect. We're not told if insect pollination results in higher population compared to self pollination. Trap choice.

chaitralirr · Answer

Unlike other primroses, self-pollinating primroses do not need to rely on insects for pollination. In many years insect pollinators are scarce, and in those years a typical non-self-pollinating primrose produces fewer seeds than does a typical self-pollinating primrose. In other years, seed production is approximately equal. Thus, self-pollinating primroses have the advantage of higher average seed production. Aside from seed production, these self-pollinating primroses are indistinguishable from non-self-pollinating primroses. Nevertheless, self-pollinating primrose plants remain rare among primroses.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

Stimulus: the difference between self pollinators and non self pollinators is that self-pollinating primroses do not need to rely on insects for pollination. when insects are scarce then the non-self pollinators produce less seeds than self pollinators and when the insects are there they produce same amount of seeds.

IMO B it explains why the non self pollinating primroses produce less seeds so that the chances of germination are higher with bigger size of seeds.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

(A) Insects that collect pollen from primroses do not discriminate between self-pollinating primroses and non-self-pollinating primroses.

(B) When insect pollinators are scarce, non-self-pollinating primroses produce larger seeds that are more likely to germinate than are seeds from self-pollinating primroses.

(C) Self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with few insects produce no fewer seeds than do self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with many insects.

(D) Many primroses are located in areas in which the soil conditions that are optimal for seed germination are not present.

(E) Self-pollinating primroses can be assisted by insects during pollination but do not require the assistance of insects to be pollinated.

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.

Unlike other primroses, self-pollinating primroses do not need to rely

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Unlike other primroses, self-pollinating primroses do not need to rely

Prep Toolkit

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards