Bold Faced problem

Question

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.
B. The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.
C. The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.
D. The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.
E. The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

Please help.

OA after some discussions.

Regards
Deano.

badpoem · Answer

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.
B. The first introduces a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second is a state of affairs that the argument denies will be part of that outcome.
C. The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction.
D. The first provides evidence to support a prediction that the argument seeks to defend; the second is that prediction.
E. The first and the second each provide evidence to support the argument's main conclusion.

The part marked in bold is the conclusion. The statement in bold that follows from "However..." is a consideration against that.

IMO (C). What is the OA?

user123321 · Answer

IMO C user123321

LalaB · Answer

IMHO, C is the answ

C.The first presents a development (Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive and blah blah blah)that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome (Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate ); the second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction(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).

LalaB · Answer

deleted

GmatVerbal · Answer

Even though I struggled to choose between A & C, I would go for A;
In the bigger picture that Author wants to conclude:
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

He started with a counter evidence ( also acts as context) -- This is an argument style to make stronger arguments by pointing out the weakness in the argument;

Unfortunately, the seeds themselves are quite expensive, and the plants require more fertilizer and water to grow well than normal ones. ==> This is definitely evidence for the intermediate conclusion ==> Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer;

What is OA??

GmatVerbal · Answer

What is OA?

ranjeet75 · Answer

Yes I also opted for A.

I think that "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" is the main conclusion and [b]"Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer"[/b] is an intermediate conclusion.

But I am confused after reading badpoem's remarks that "The part marked in bold is the conclusion. The statement in bold that follows from "However..." is a consideration against that"

Please clarify.

chufus · Answer

I think it has to be "C". A cannot be correct because the "context" of the argument is different. Context has to be in line with the main conclusion. C is the only answer that tells us that something has happened and it will lead to a certain outcome. The latter part of C tells us a consideration that nullifies the original outcome. They are both different cases and bot of them are not in context with each other or put simply are not in line. Context "Should" be in line with the argument.

I'll bet on "C"

Experts?

gunjan1208 · Answer

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

Dean Jones · Answer

OA is option C

tuanquang269 · Answer

IMO C
C. The first presents a development that the argument predicts will have a certain outcome; => the development here is new kind of seed that can resist to the pest

(Predicted Outcome that is not in the first boldface is " for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer.")

The second acknowledges a consideration that weighs against that prediction. => state exactly the prediction will not happen because of customer's interest.

GmatVerbal · Answer

What is the source of the question?

It appears that there are two versions of the question with same answer.

As per the following link ( https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/pla ... t2270.html) the actual bold face text is ( refer to last two posts)

Thus, for most farmers the savings on pesticides would not compensate for the higher seed costs and the cost of additional fertilizer

If this text is really bold faced text then (A) would not be choice because that is not main conclusion.

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