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New harvesting machine

by The Iceman » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:28 am
Which of the following most logically completes the argument?
A new machine for harvesting corn will allow rows to be planted only fifteen inches apart, instead of the usual thirty inches. Corn planted this closely will produce lower yields per plant. Nevertheless, the new machine will allow corn growers to double their profits per acre because __________.

A. with the closer spacing of the rows, the growing corn plants will quickly form a dense canopy of leaves, which will, by shading the ground, minimize the need for costly weed control and irrigation

B. with the closer spacing of the rows, corn plants will be forced to grow taller because of increased competition for sunlight from neighboring corn plants

C. with the larger number of plants growing per acre, more fertilizer will be required

D. with the spacing between rows cut by half, the number of plants grown per acre will almost double

E. with the closer spacing of the rows, the acreage on which corn is planted will be utilized much more intensively than it was before, requiring more frequent fallow years in which corn fields are left unplanted
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by aman88 » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:18 am
IMO A
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by Sapana » Sat Dec 22, 2012 12:35 am
Confused between A and D. However, the argument focuses more on profit, I am leaning more towards A. OA??
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by GMATGuruNY » Sat Dec 22, 2012 5:04 am
The Iceman wrote:Which of the following most logically completes the argument?
A new machine for harvesting corn will allow rows to be planted only fifteen inches apart, instead of the usual thirty inches. Corn planted this closely will produce lower yields per plant. Nevertheless, the new machine will allow corn growers to double their profits per acre because __________.

A. with the closer spacing of the rows, the growing corn plants will quickly form a dense canopy of leaves, which will, by shading the ground, minimize the need for costly weed control and irrigation

B. with the closer spacing of the rows, corn plants will be forced to grow taller because of increased competition for sunlight from neighboring corn plants

C. with the larger number of plants growing per acre, more fertilizer will be required

D. with the spacing between rows cut by half, the number of plants grown per acre will almost double

E. with the closer spacing of the rows, the acreage on which corn is planted will be utilized much more intensively than it was before, requiring more frequent fallow years in which corn fields are left unplanted
The correct answer must explain how the NEW MACHINE will lead to DOUBLE THE PROFITS, despite the lower yield per plant.

Answer choice A:
With the closer spacing of the rows, the growing corn plants will quickly form a dense canopy of leaves, which will, by shading the ground, minimize the need for costly weed control and irrigation.
By minimizing a COSTLY need, the NEW MACHINE will lead to DOUBLE THE PROFITS.

The correct answer is A.

Reasons to eliminate:

B. with the closer spacing of the rows, corn plants will be forced to grow taller because of increased competition for sunlight from neighboring corn plants.
Since it is given as a PREMISE -- as a FACT NOT IN DISPUTE -- that there will be lower yields per plant, the height of each plant is irrelevant.

C. with the larger number of plants growing per acre, more fertilizer will be required.
This answer choice implies that costs will INCREASE -- the opposite of what is needed here.

D. with the spacing between rows cut by half, the number of plants grown per acre will almost double.
Tempting: If the total amount of corn doubles, then revenues could double, leading to a doubling of profits.
But since there will be LOWER YIELDS PER PLANT, the number of plants would have to MORE THAN DOUBLE in order for the total amount of corn to double, invalidating this answer choice.

E. with the closer spacing of the rows, the acreage on which corn is planted will be utilized much more intensively than it was before, requiring more frequent fallow years in which corn fields are left unplanted.
This answer choice implies that the corn fields will be LESS PRODUCTIVE -- the opposite of what is needed here.
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