Critical Reasoning

Dean Jones wrote:Dear Friends,

I was having problems in answering the following question.

Plant scientists have used genetic engineering on seeds to produce crop plants that are highly resistant to insect damage. Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer. However,since consumer demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides continues to rise, the use of genetically engineered seeds of this kind is likely to become widespread.In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first supplies a context for the argument; the second is the argument's main conclusion. Though, second sentence also gives one more contect along with conclusion, fact remains that it is conclusion
B. The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome: What outcome - First one is merely a fact; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome. I will not read further to save time. One mistake is enough
C. The first presents a development: Which Development : More water is needed that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.I will not read further to save time. One mistake is enough
D. The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend: First one is evidence but not for a prediction; the second is that prediction.
E. The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.: Both provide evedence but fact remain that second one is a conclusion also.


I will bet on A