Insecticide Q is noteworthy both for its control of pests that attack

Question

Insecticide Q is noteworthy both for its control of pests that attack crops and its benignity toward humans. However, its effects only last 30 days, a period insufficient to protect any major crop until harvest, and a reapplication of Insecticide Q usually kills the crop. Insecticide P, on the other hand, can be reapplied indefinitely without damaging the crop. Therefore, Insecticide Q has no discernible use in protection of major crops.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the argument?

A. There are several minor crops that can be harvested in as few as 20 days.
B. A third insecticide not mentioned in the passage protects crops better than either Insecticide Q or P.
C. Foods treated with Insecticide P are often banned from organic markets.
D. Both Insecticides Q and P can be used on the same crop.
E. The production of Insecticide P, once economical, has recently tripled in cost.

GMATcracker101 · Answer

Please note -

A.  Incorrect. Minor crops are not covered in the passage, hence out of scope.

B.  Incorrect. Be that as it may, it is new information not directly contradicting anything in the passage.

C.  Correct. As if foods treated with insecticide P are often banned in organic markets, and there are only two insecticides between P and Q, Q will at least be used, so it can be effective, even if only for 30 days.

D.  Incorrect. Although it would not make Q useless, it doesn't necessarily make it useful.

E.  Incorrect. Cost is not discussed in the passage, hence out of scope. It is unlikely that a change from USD 1 to USD 3 for insecticide costs would make a substantial impact.

pappal · Answer

here we are concerned with the choice that negates that Q has no discernible use in the protection of major crops??
A is about minor crops (so out of scope)
B is about characteristic of a third insecticide (so does nothing to negate the conclusion)
C discusses about often banning of P applicated foods from the market, (nothing to negate the conclusion) 
D however states that both can be applied to the same crop, means that if first Q is applied followed by P, then Q cant be totally outvoted in the protection process (correct)
E talks about the cost increase of P (out of scope)
so D IMO

bestreturn · Answer

C shows that there is discernible use for Q in organic market and is correct answer

Akshat_verma_25 · Answer

Argument is saying that:
 • Q = effective + safe for humans, but only lasts 30 days.
 • Major crops need protection longer than that, and reapplying Q kills them.
 • P = can be reapplied without harm.
 • Conclusion: Q has no discernible use in protecting major crops.

We need the option that most undermines this conclusion.

Option A: Some minor crops can be harvested in 20 days.
 • True, but the conclusion is about major crops, not minor. This weakens the idea that Q has “no use at all,” but only for major crops. Doesn’t directly undermine.

Option B: A third insecticide works better than both Q and P.
 • Irrelevant to whether Q has any use. Doesn’t weaken.

Option C: Foods treated with P are banned from organic markets.
 • That makes P less desirable, but it doesn’t prove Q can protect major crops. Only challenges P’s attractiveness, not the conclusion about Q.

Option D: Both Q and P can be used on the same crop.
 • This is looking OK. If Q can be used first, then P can take over later, or they can be alternated, then Q does have a use in protecting major crops. This directly undermines the claim of “no discernible use.”

Note that we have to weaken the conclusion: that doesn’t mean to attack on P.

Option E: Production of P has tripled in cost.
 • Makes P less attractive, but again, doesn’t prove Q has a use.

Answer: D. Both Insecticides Q and P can be used on the same crop.

akamukho25 · Answer

My answer would be C. 
To Negate D: It says both Q and P can be used in the same crop. And the argument says P can be used multiple times on the same crop. So there's no reason for us to use Q at all. So although both Q and P can be used in the same crop, we could still keep using P. This doesn't help the conclusion that Q is not required anymore.

C on the other hand clearly tells us that P is dangerous. (The only thing missed by the argument. Kind of filling a gap).

Insecticide Q is noteworthy both for its control of pests that attack

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