Locust swarms have ravaged much of Suwathia, resulting in the loss of

Question

Locust swarms have ravaged much of Suwathia, resulting in the loss of vital agriculture. A multinational company has recently proposed using metarhizium, a fungus that invades the exoskeleton of the locust, causing a swift death. The government of Suwathia argues that the one means of application of metarhizia—from an airplane—will require a great amount of the fungus, which is difficult to acquire. Given that the locusts propagate rapidly, the government maintains that only a complete annihilation of a locust swarm will have the desired effect.

Which of the following, if true, best argues in favor of the multinational company’s plan to drop metarhizium over locust swarms?

(A) Metarhizium promotes the growth of a strain of bacteria that fosters root development in the crops that the locusts consume.

(B) Some swarms of locust can cover over 100,000 square miles.

(C) If all of the locusts are not destroyed, Suwathiawill lose millions of acres of crops.

(D) An airplane must fly several kilometers ahead of a swarm of locusts to ensure that the metarhizia is correctly deployed upon the rapidly moving swarm.

(E) Only one metarhizia-infected locust is necessary to lead to the demise of an entire swarm, since metarhizia can easily spread within a swarm.

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cdrectenwald · Answer

(E) Only one metarhizium-infected locust is necessary to lead to the demise of an entire swarm, since metarhizium can easily spread within a swarm.

Explanation:
The government's primary concern is that a large amount of metarhizium is needed to completely annihilate a swarm, and achieving total eradication is essential to prevent further destruction of crops. If it is true that one infected locust can lead to the demise of the entire swarm due to the easy spread of metarhizium, the argument against the multinational company's plan (i.e., that a large amount of fungus is required) is weakened. This strongly supports the feasibility of the company's plan.

Why the other options are incorrect:
(A): The fact that metarhizium promotes root development is irrelevant to whether the company's plan to annihilate locust swarms will work. This does not address the concern about the effectiveness of the fungus in eradicating locust swarms.

(B): The size of locust swarms is a challenge but does not provide any argument in favor of the multinational company's plan.

(C): While this highlights the stakes of the problem (loss of crops), it does not argue for or against the use of metarhizium. It merely emphasizes the importance of eradicating locusts.

(D): This statement provides logistical information about deploying metarhizium but does not address whether the fungus is effective in eradicating locust swarms.

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

Premise #1  – MZ kills locusts

Premise #2  – To effectively drop the MZ (via plane), lots MZ is required.

Now it is important to separate the two positions:

Multinational company: Use MZ

Government:  MZ too expensive and will need lots because all locusts in a swarm must be killed.

Correct answer will support Multinational Company. In other words, the conclusion is MZ will be effective against locust swarm.

(A) sounds like a good reason not to use MZ. It application will lead to bacteria that help the crops the locusts feed on grow. If anything, this will worsen the problem.

(B) just reaffirms how large—and destructive—locust swarms can be.

(C) is a good reason to find a solution to the locust swarms. It does not, however, speak directly to the

(D) This refers to the difficulty of spreading MZ over a rapidly moving swarm. It does lend strength to the company’s plan.

(E) The government says that one reason not to use MZ is so much is required to wipe out a swarm (and MZ is difficult to acquire). (E), however, clearly indicates that very little MZ is need, because once it is present in one locust, it can quickly spread to the entire swarm, wiping it out.

Locust swarms have ravaged much of Suwathia, resulting in the loss of

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Locust swarms have ravaged much of Suwathia, resulting in the loss of

Prep Toolkit

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

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