Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter

Question

Which of the following most logically completes the argument below?

Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter wheat this fall or spring wheat next spring. Winter wheat and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable. Because of new government restrictions on the use of Davison River water for irrigation, per acre yields for winter wheat, though not for spring wheat, would be much lower than average. Therefore, planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat, since_______.

(A) the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year would not be compensated for by higher winter wheat prices

(B) new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of winter wheat are ready to be harvested

(C) the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region

(D) spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat

(E) planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye

Spring or Winter Wheat

Step 1: Identify the Question

This is a fill in the blank question. The word since just before the blank indicates the need for another premise to support the conclusion, so this is a  Strengthen the Argument  question.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument

Spring and Wint = profit usually

But: Low yield for Wint due to water rest.

Conc: Spring more profit

The argument provides information to compare the expected quantities of spring versus winter wheat. What other factors might influence the profit of spring wheat compared to winter wheat?

Step 3: Pause and State the Goal

On Strengthen questions, the goal is to find a piece of information that would support the conclusion. The correct answer should make the conclusion more likely.

Step 4: Work from Wrong to Right

(A) CORRECT .  Price is another factor that affects profit . In order for spring wheat to be more profitable, the lower yields from winter wheat must not be offset by much higher prices. If the farmers were able to sell the winter wheat at much higher prices, then profits might not be lower during that season.

(B) This answer establishes that it is not possible to plant both spring and winter wheat in the same field,   BUT   that is   not important to the conclusion  , which focuses on the profit from spring wheat versus winter wheat.

(C) The fact that spring wheat is well adapted would most directly influence the yields for spring wheat. The argument already says that the yields for spring wheat will be higher than those for winter wheat this year, so this answer   does not provide any additional information to help compare profitability between spring and winter wheat  .

(D) The particular uses for spring wheat versus winter wheat   do not directly provide information about the profitability   of the two types of wheat.

(E)  The conclusion is about the profit of spring wheat versus winter wheat , so   comparisons to rye or other crops are irrelevant  .

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

Yes, that's correct, adkikani. This is superficially a fill-in-the-blank question, but in reality, you're trying to strengthen the phrase in the last sentence: "planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat."

We know that yields will be lower with winter wheat, so we're just trying to show that winter wheat will also be less profitable -- and (A) covers that nicely, by showing that higher prices won't compensate for the lower yields.

jade3 · Answer

A. the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year would not be compensated for by higher winter wheat prices
If size of the winter harvest would not be compensated by the winter wheat prices, then farmers would incur losses. Hence the answer.

B. new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of winter wheat are ready to be harvested
The choice is not explaining why planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting winter wheat. Hence the choice is incorrect.

C. the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region
-out of scope

D. spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat
-out of scope

E. planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye
-out of scope

excelgmat · Answer

I go for A. 
If the yield is less and the price is also not that high so it makes sense to wait for the spring.

MustbeatGMAT · Answer

Initial Thoughts:

Anytime, that I see profitability as a word, I immediately put it into a highly simplified framework : Profit = Revenue – Costs, Revenue = Price * Quantity and Costs are typically given they never go into fixed or variable prices.

So in this case, if the yield is going to be low, they will need to raise the price to equal the revenue component. Thus, the answer must mention about the impact to price.

A. the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year would not be compensated for by higher winter wheat prices

By POE, A
Basically, the would make a loss. That’s what I inferred. Read above on approach.

B. new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of winter wheat are ready to be harvested

Answer will reflect on winter wheat not on spring wheat.
 
C. the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region

Same as B

D. spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat

Insufficient information – can you conclusively say that this is a strong enough reason for profitability by spring and winter wheat?

E. planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye

Other crops – Out of scope.

USADream · Answer

A Correct.  If this is true, it would mean that smaller-than-average winter wheat yields would
translate into lower-than-usual profitson winter wheat (whilespring wheat would be as profitable as winter wheat would normally be). This would justify the conclusion that spring wheat will be more profitable than winter wheat.

semwal · Answer

Which of the following most logically completes the argument below?

Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter wheat this fall or spring wheat next spring. Winter wheat and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable. Because of new government restrictions on the use of Davison River water for irrigation, per acre yields for winter wheat, though not for spring wheat, would be much lower than average. Therefore, planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat, since_______.

A. the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year would not be compensated for by higher winter wheat prices  ... MEANS LOW HARVEST WILL NOT ENSURE PROPORTIONALLY HIGH PROFIT DUE TO HIGHER PRICES..... HENCE PROFIT WILL BE LESS THAN SPRING WHEAT.. .  ..HENCE CORRECT 
 
B. new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of winter wheat are ready to be harvested ... SHOWS ONLY ONE CAN BE PLANTED.... BUT DOES NOT HINT TOWARDS WHICH ONE WOULD BE MORE PROFITABLE... HENCE INCORRECT .

C. the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region.. ..ADAPTATION TO SOIL IS IRRELEVANT HERE.....MAY BE WINTER WHEAT IS EQUALLY OR MORE ADAPTABLE......

D. spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat..... .USE IS NOT IMPORTANT HERE....... PROFIT IS.... HENCE WRONG....

E. planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye...... WHY COMPARE OTHER PLANTS?......WRONG

WaterFlowsUp · Answer

Option C goes off because it is stated in the premise that both the wheats are equally profitable. So even if Spring wheat has an advantage from the soil it should not be a problem (strengthener)

gmatlbs · Answer

Argument Analysis:

Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter wheat this fall or spring wheat next spring.  A background information. 
Winter wheat and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable.  A background information. 
 Because of  new government  restrictions on the use  of Davison River water for irrigation,  per acre yields for winter wheat ,  though not for spring wheat ,  would be much lower than average.   A background information. 
Therefore, planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat,  Conclusion  
 since ‗‗‗‗‗‗.  To fill a reason to support the conclusion

Under current restriction , scenario has changed from equally profitable to spring wheat being more profitable.
Hence the correct answer option will discuss –
a. profit from spring wheat , or
b. loss or lesser gain in winter wheat when compared with spring wheat
 - less quantity or decrease in price

A. the  smaller-than-average size  of a winter wheat harvest this year  would not be compensated  for by higher winter wheat prices.  Loss : Correct  
B. new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of winter wheat are ready to be harvested.  Ok that is fine but no information to justify conclusion 
C. the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region.  Great …but no information to justify conclusion 
D. spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat.  But it not is helping to conclude that spring wheat will be profitable…will different use gain more price??? No clue 
E. planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye.  So what…only bothered about spring and winter wheat.

Option A

@p00rv@ · Answer

Also, IMO C is wrong cuz it says that Spring wheat is well adapted to the soil, but it might be that winter wheat is also equally adaptable to this soil.

colorblind · Answer

Think about it this way:
I have the option to either sell the swangsung galaxy note 7 this year on retail websites or the snapple 7 plus next year, when it releases, on retail websites. Both smartphones are equally profitable. But, due to recent issues with swangsung's fones catching fire, customers are reluctant to purchase the swangsung even after deep discounts. Because of this, I wont be able to sell a single swangsung fone this year but will still have to pay for the retail website fees and advertising charges which means I will make a loss. So, I would rather wait for the new snaple 7 plus to release next year.

Makes sense?

adkikani · Answer

Hello Experts, 
Can you please explain detailed explanation of OA:A. My argument understanding is as below:
farmers from DR have option to plant winter wheat or spring wheat. Usually both are equally profitable. However, because of new government restrictions, which suggests less water to be used for irrigation, per acre yield of winter wheat is less profitable than spring wheat. So apart from availability of water for irrigation, we need to find alternate reason to support why spring wheat is more profitable to plant.

adkikani · Answer

Hi Charles, 
I need to understand few additional points in option A:
  the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year  - does this talk about smaller yields ? (assuming harvest and yields mean the same. 
  higher winter wheat prices  - now I am assuming we are bringing profit in picture by saying prices can not be compensated by low yield / harvest. 
How did you link the term  smaller-than-average size  in context of argument? Since this was where I was stumped while attempting this Q.
WR, 
Arpit.

GMATNinja · Answer

Ah, OK -- I think I see what you're saying, Arpit. Here's what we know from the passage:

So that means that there would be a much smaller harvest per acre for winter wheat -- at least when compared to the average winter wheat harvests.

And here's answer choice (A) again:

To me, that first phrase -- "smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest" essentially matches the passage in meaning. And the rest of (A) just connects the size of the harvest to the overall profitability.

Does that help?

BillyZ · Answer

Spring or Winter Wheat

Step 1: Identify the Question

This is a fill in the blank question. The word  since  just before the blank indicates the need for  another premise to support the conclusion , so this is a  Strengthen the Argument  question.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Argument

Spring and Wint=profit usually
But: Low yield for Wint due to water rest.
Conc: Spring more profit
The argument provides information to compare the expected quantities of spring versus winter wheat. What other factors might influence the profit of spring wheat compared to winter wheat?

Step 3: Pause and State the Goal

On Strengthen questions, the goal is to find a piece of information that would support the conclusion. The correct answer should make the conclusion more likely.

Step 4: Work from Wrong to Right

(A) CORRECT. Price is another factor that affects profit. In order for spring wheat to be more profitable, the lower yields from winter wheat must not be offset by much higher prices. If the farmers were able to sell the winter wheat at much higher prices, then profits might not be lower during that season.
(B) This answer establishes that it is not possible to plant both spring and winter wheat in the same field, but that is not important to the conclusion, which focuses on the profit from spring wheat versus winter wheat.
(C) The fact that spring wheat is well adapted would most directly influence the yields for spring wheat. The argument already says that the yields for spring wheat will be higher than those for winter wheat this year, so his answer does not provide any additional information to help compare profitability between spring and winter wheat.
(D) The particular uses for spring wheat versus winter wheat do not directly provide information about the profitability of the two types of wheat.
(E) The conclusion is about the profit of spring versus winter wheat, so comparisons to rye or other crops are irrelevant.

LakerFan24 · Answer

Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter wheat this fall or spring wheat next spring. Winter wheat and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable. Because of new government restrictions on the use of Davison River water for irrigation, per acre yields for winter wheat, though not for spring wheat, would be much lower than average. Therefore, planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat, since ________.

Which of the following most logically completes the argument below?

(A) the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year would not be compensated for by higher winter wheat prices
- "per acre yields for winter wheat, though not for spring wheat, would be much lower than average" + "smaller-than-average size of winter wheat harvest". Small size & lower prices? bad for winter wheat!

(B) new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of winter wheat are ready to be harvested
- Out of scope. So what if new spring wheat crops planted earlier? what if they get harvested earlier too? doesn't definitively tell us anything

(C) the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region
- Out of scope. What does being adapted do for this argument? Nothing.

(D) spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat
- Out of scope. Who cares what spring wheats' uses are?

(E) planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye
- Out of scope. Not at all concerned with profit of other crops

Easier question since a lot of A/C are out of scope. Kudos please if you find this helpful

zoezhuyan · Answer

Which of the following most logically completes the argument below? 
 Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter wheat this fall or spring wheat next spring. Winter wheat and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable. Because of new government restrictions on the use of Davison River water for irrigation, per acre yields for winter wheat, though not for spring wheat, would be much lower than average. Therefore, planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat, since_______. 
A. the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year would not be compensated for by higher winter wheat prices
B. new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of winter wheat are ready to be harvested
C. the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region 
D. spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat
E. planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye

Dear  mikemcgarry ,  sayantanc2k ,  GMATNinjaTwo ,  GMATNinja

I picked up  C  at first, later, I understand that why A is correct when reviewing.
although I read the whole thread, I am still a bit confused about answer choice  C .
 the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of the region

as the argument states,  Winter wheat and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable , implying that winter wheat and springs wheat were same profitable before the restriction and that the profit of winter wheat will be worse after the restriction. 
I need to find a premise that can lead to the conclusion that planting spring wheat will be more profit. 
so if spring wheat is well adapted to the soil of the region, as  C  states, then  C  makes the conclusion more possible ,

Genuinely need your explanation .

thanks in advance
have a nice day

GMATNinja · Answer

Like you said, winter and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable. So, if we hold all other variables equal and ONLY reduce the yield for winter wheat, then spring wheat should be more profitable. As you can see from choice (A), that might NOT be the case if winter wheat prices are higher than usual.

As for choice (C), knowing that spring wheat is well adapted to the soil does contribute to our confidence that the spring wheat crop will not fail. But even if we have a very successful spring wheat crop and a lower than average winter wheat harvest, the winter harvest could be more profitable if winter wheat prices rise to a high enough level.

Choice (C) gives us reason to believe that the spring crop will not fail, but it does not assure us that high winter wheat prices won't make winter wheat the more profitable option.

Thanks for your question, and let us know if you're still unsure!

aviejay · Answer

Hi,

Can some one please explain what category do these kind of questions fall in wherein we are asked to complete the argument? Also, please explain how to handle these kind of questions.

GMATNinja · Answer

Hi  aviejay , these are known as  "Complete the Passage"  questions.

While I don't have specific strategies for handling the various question types, I do recommend that you check out the  Ultimate CR Guide for Beginners  if you haven't already.

The only difference with "Complete the Passage" questions is that some part of the argument is missing. For example, in this question, we already know the conclusion ("planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat"), and we need to select an answer choice that supports this conclusion. In other words, which statement links the given information to the given conclusion?

I hope that helps!

Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter

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Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter

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

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