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According to a prediction of the not-so-distant

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vinni.k Really wants to Beat The GMAT!
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According to a prediction of the not-so-distant Post Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:07 am
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    According to a prediction of the not-so-distant future published in 1940, electricity would revolutionize agriculture. Electrodes would be inserted into the soil, and the current between them would kill bugs and weeds and make crop plants stronger.
    Which of the following, if true, most strongly indicates that the logic of the prediction above is flawed?

    (A) In order for farmers to avoid electric shock while working in the fields, the current could be turned off at such times without diminishing the intended effects.

    (B) If the proposed plan for using electricity were put into practice, farmers would save on chemicals now being added to the soil.

    (C) It cannot be taken for granted that the use of electricity is always beneficial.

    (D) Since weeds are plants, electricity would affect weeds in the same way as it would affect crop plants.

    (E) Because a planting machine would need to avoid coming into contact with the electrodes, new parts for planting machines would need to be designed.

    Answer is D. I also believe that it is the best answer. But what about C. Doesn't it cast enough doubt. "It cannot be taken for granted" what one mean by this ? This also looks like a weakener to me. Can any one please elaborate more on this. I got it correct but want to know how can this choice be eliminated.

    Thanks & Regards
    Vinni

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    rijul007 GMAT Destroyer!
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    Post Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:46 am
    Answer choice C is too vague

    ankita1709 Really wants to Beat The GMAT! Default Avatar
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    Post Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:23 am
    Its already given in the question that 'electricity would revolutionize agriculture. Electrodes would be inserted into the soil, and the current between them would kill bugs and weeds and make crop plants stronger', so this is something you can't cast your doubt upon. Hence, C can be eliminated

    shantanu86 Rising GMAT Star Default Avatar
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    Post Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:59 pm
    vinni.k wrote:
    According to a prediction of the not-so-distant future published in 1940, electricity would revolutionize agriculture. Electrodes would be inserted into the soil, and the current between them would kill bugs and weeds and make crop plants stronger.
    Which of the following, if true, most strongly indicates that the logic of the prediction above is flawed?

    (A) In order for farmers to avoid electric shock while working in the fields, the current could be turned off at such times without diminishing the intended effects.

    (B) If the proposed plan for using electricity were put into practice, farmers would save on chemicals now being added to the soil.

    (C) It cannot be taken for granted that the use of electricity is always beneficial.

    (D) Since weeds are plants, electricity would affect weeds in the same way as it would affect crop plants.

    (E) Because a planting machine would need to avoid coming into contact with the electrodes, new parts for planting machines would need to be designed.

    Answer is D. I also believe that it is the best answer. But what about C. Doesn't it cast enough doubt. "It cannot be taken for granted" what one mean by this ? This also looks like a weakener to me. Can any one please elaborate more on this. I got it correct but want to know how can this choice be eliminated.

    Thanks & Regards
    Vinni
    Hi Vinni,

    The construction of question can be broken as-

    Conclusion-
    Electricity will revolutionize agriculture.

    Reason-
    Electricity will kill weeds and bugs that hamper crop.

    [C] casts most serious doubts on reason by revealing that if electricity were to impact weeds and crops similarity the noted benefit will be lost.

    [D] is a generalization.. a little too vague to cast any doubts over reason.

    Hence, [C] should be preferred over [D].

    Also, keep in mind the classical ways of weakening an argument is either by-
    1.) weakening the reason itself
    2.) or, by decoupling reason from conclusion.. so that it no longer stands as testimony of it.

    Regards,
    Shantanu

    agarwalmanoj2000 Rising GMAT Star Default Avatar
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    Post Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:55 pm
    Hi Vinni,

    Prediction: Electricity would revolutionize agriculture.

    Why not C -
    (C) It cannot be taken for granted that the use of electricity is always beneficial.
    Option C talks only about electricity and nothing about its relation with agriculture. This option says that electricity may or may not be beneficial to agriculture, so this option neither strengthen nor weaken the prediction.

    Why D -
    (D) Since weeds are plants, electricity would affect weeds in the same way as it would affect crop plants.
    Option D says that electricity will kill both plants and weeds. It will harm the agriculture, so option D clearly weakens the prediction.

    HTH.

    spartacus1412 Really wants to Beat The GMAT! Default Avatar
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    Post Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:25 pm
    It would go with D.

    Option C doesnot relate the use of electricity with agriculture.
    It just says tht electricity is not always beneficial which is to generalized.

    Option D directly hits the nail by saying that electricity can harm the crop plants in a similar way as it is going to harm the weeds because weeds are also plants.

    hence, the assumption that electricity will revolutionize agriculture is flawed.

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