Critical Reasoning

If people want to begin a vegetable
garden in the Rocky Mountains before
the spring equinox, they must first
sprout the seeds indoors and then
transplant them to fertilized soil
outdoors once the plants reach three
inches. However, carrots and turnips
can never be sprouted indoors.
If the statements above are true, which
of the following statements must also be
true about growing a garden in the
Rocky Mountains?
A. Plants that are not yet three inches
tall should be brought indoors
before equinox.
B. Carrots can be planted outdoors
before equinox.
C. Spring equinox is approximately
the time the soil thaws in the
Rocky Mountains.
D. Turnips can never be sprouted
before equinox.
E. Gardens in Colorado have a shorter
growing season than those in
Georgia.

Nice Question, IMO D. look at the bold part carefully

Premise 1:-- If people want to begin a vegetable
garden in the Rocky Mountains before
the spring equinox, they must first
sprout the seeds indoors and then
transplant them to fertilized soil
outdoors once the plants reach three
inches

Premise 2:-- carrots and turnips
can never be sprouted indoors.

Now, first thing in must be true questions is that u cannot question the authenticity of the premises. if turnips cannot be sprouted indoors (premise 2) and to begin vegetable garden before the spring equinox one must have to sprout the seed indoors (premise 2) that means u cannot grow carrots and turnips before the spring equinox. This is what Op D says hence correct.

But isn't D too strong for an answer? If it is, then IMO C would be the correct answer.

DhruvXVII wrote:But isn't D too strong for an answer? If it is, then IMO C would be the correct answer.

Thaws means:-- to (cause to) change from a solid, frozen state to a liquid or soft one, because of an increase in temperature:

we don't know anything about the state of the soil. we don't know what condition led to this premise " first sprout the seeds indoors and then transplant them to fertilized soil outdoors once the plants reach three inches "

Its a must be true question, so u cannot assume anything.

I agree choice D is strong, but its logical.

Premise 1:--> for X, y (condition) is necessary.

Premise 2:--> Z cannot follow Y condition

Means Z is impossible, this is what Op D is..hence correct

DhruvXVII wrote:But isn't D too strong for an answer? If it is, then IMO C would be the correct answer.

D sounds strong but this is not an assumption question. So if premises lead to "D" regardless of its strongness, it should be true

will go with D!

A correct inference can only be as "strong" as the stimulus if is drawn from> Here our stimulus is absolute.

1. they must first sprout the seeds indoors, and
2. carrots and turnips can never be sprouted indoors.

Both those statements are absolutes so we are justified in having an absolute conclusion.

What is the OA?

IMO: D

The answer is derived directly from the argument and hence D is the best choice.