Historians credit repeated locust invasions in the nineteenth century

Question

Historians credit repeated locust invasions in the nineteenth century with reshaping United States agriculture west of the Mississippi River. Admonished by government entomologists, farmers began to diversify. Wheat had come to nearly monopolize the region, but it was particularly vulnerable to the locusts. In 1873, just before the locusts’ most withering offensive, nearly two-thirds of Minnesota farmland was producing wheat; by the invasions’ last year, that fraction had dropped to less than one-sixth. Farmers learned that peas and beans were far less vulnerable to the insects, and corn was a more  robust  grain than wheat. In addition to planting alternative crops, many farmers turned to dairy and beef production. Although pastures were often damaged by the locusts, these lands were almost always left in better shape than the crops were.  
 For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply. 
 1 
 1. According to the passage, before the recommendations by the government entomologists, which of the following was true about farming west of the Mississippi River?

A. Farmers focused primarily on growing wheat.
B. Peas and beans had not yet been planted in the region.
C. A relatively small portion of farmland was devoted to crops other than wheat.

2 
 2. In the context in which it appears, “robust” (  Highlight  ) most nearly means

A. crude
B. demanding
C. productive
D. vigorous
E. rich

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. According to the passage, before the recommendations by the government entomologists, which of the following was true about farming west of the Mississippi River?

Explanation

Choice A  is correct: according to the passage, “wheat had come to nearly monopolize the region” prior to the recommendations of government entomologists.
 
  Choice B  is incorrect: although wheat was the dominant crop, there is no indication that peas and beans had not been planted in the region prior to the admonishments of government entomologists.
 
  Choice C  is correct: given that wheat was the dominant crop, only a relatively small portion of farmland could have been devoted to other crops.

Choices A and C are correct.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. In the context in which it appears, “robust” (    Highlight    ) most nearly means

Explanation

In discussing the advantages of less vulnerable crops, the author describes corn as  “robust.”  Of the choices presented,  “vigorous”  is most similar in meaning to  “robust.”  Neither  “crude”  nor  “demanding”  is an advantage, and although being  “productive”  or  “rich”  might be desirable, neither matches the meaning of  “robust”  in this context. Therefore,  Choice D  is the correct answer.

Historians credit repeated locust invasions in the nineteenth century

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