Critical Reasoning

Nice discussion... https://www.urch.com/forums/gmat-critica ... d-one.html

yangliu0401 wrote:Scientists have made genetic modifications to cotton to increase its resistance to insect pests. According to farmers� report, the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those who did not. Therefore, since the modified seed costs more than ordinary seed without producing yields of higher market value, switching to the modified seed would be unlikely to benefit most cotton farmers economically.

Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

A. Whether farmers who tried the modified cotton seed had ever tried growing other crops from genetically modified seed.
B. Whether the insecticides typically used on ordinary cotton tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops.
C. Whether for most farms who grow cotton it is their primary crop
D. Whether the farmers who have tried the modified speed planted as many acres of cotton, on average, as farmers using the ordinary seed did.
E. Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide.

Let me share my thoughts on this one

arg says that since modified seeds use little less insecticide than ordinary seed and also modified seed cost more than ordinary seed so switching to modified seed is not economical

A other crops so out
B other crops so out
C primary crop for farmers so out not relevant to the argument
D comparing acres of cotton planted with ordinary and modified seeds out
E If yes then modified seed is good option and if no then sticking to ordinary seed is advisable

I think the OA should be E here....Please correct my logic

Many thanks!

One more for E

yangliu0401 wrote:Scientists have made genetic modifications to cotton to increase its resistance to insect pests. According to farmers� report, the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those who did not. Therefore, since the modified seed costs more than ordinary seed without producing yields of higher market value, switching to the modified seed would be unlikely to benefit most cotton farmers economically.

Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

A. Whether farmers who tried the modified cotton seed had ever tried growing other crops from genetically modified seed.
B. Whether the insecticides typically used on ordinary cotton tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops.
C. Whether for most farms who grow cotton it is their primary crop
D. Whether the farmers who have tried the modified speed planted as many acres of cotton, on average, as farmers using the ordinary seed did.
E. Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide.

The correct Answer is B: lets me explain

Evidence 1: using modified seeds will save a slightly lower amount of insecticides than using ordinary seeds. ( look carefully, the amount )

Evidence 2: modified seeds cost more than ordinary seed

Conclusion: farmers may not use modified seeds

As we can see, the motive for farmer to use ordinary seeds or modified seeds is cost. what if the price of insecticides used for ordinary seeds is higher than that of insecticides used for modified seeds. As we can see, in this situation, using modified seeds not only save amount of insecticides but also save money buy using cheaper kind of insecticides.

Look at answer choice B, we can see it mentioned to the price of insecticides. we should look out here that. other crops include modified crops. therefore, answer choice B satisfies what we have said above. that's correct answer.

Answer D is not correct because it mentioned to total acres sprayed insecticides while the stimulus just mentioned to insecticides per acre.

answer E is not correct because using large quantity of insecticides or not doesn't matter. the key thing is that using modified just only save slight amount of insecticides.

Answer A is also incorrect because That whether farmer ever try using modified seeds or not doesn't impact on the conclusion. so it's incorrect

In sum, the correct answer is B

Hope to see OA soon

B

E is ruled out because the in the argument "report, the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those who did not"

yangliu0401 wrote:Scientists have made genetic modifications to cotton to increase its resistance to insect pests. According to farmers� report, the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those who did not. Therefore, since the modified seed costs more than ordinary seed without producing yields of higher market value, switching to the modified seed would be unlikely to benefit most cotton farmers economically.

Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

A. Whether farmers who tried the modified cotton seed had ever tried growing other crops from genetically modified seed.
B. Whether the insecticides typically used on ordinary cotton tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops.
C. Whether for most farms who grow cotton it is their primary crop
D. Whether the farmers who have tried the modified speed planted as many acres of cotton, on average, as farmers using the ordinary seed did.
E. Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide.

hi,
i think the Answer should be B
in this argument, the farmer concluded that using mod.seed is not more benefit than using the org. seed
P1. the amount of insecticide for modi. seed only SLIGHTLY lower than the amount of insecticide for org. seed.
P2. modi. seed cost more

Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?

A. Whether farmers who tried the modified cotton seed had ever tried growing other crops from genetically modified seed . out of scope. we only care of modified cotton seed and orginial seed, which is more benefit. we dont care of whether the farmer grew another cop
C. Whether for most farms who grow cotton it is their primary crop. ( incorrect)

D. Whether the farmers who have tried the modified speed planted as many acres of cotton, on average, as farmers using the ordinary seed did. this cant be the answer because the argument itself says that the amount of modified seed is lower than the amount. Futhermore, for example the farmer planted 90% acres of modified cotton seed, and 100% acres of ordinary seed, the amount of seed harvested is the same, however the farmer will have to buy insecticide for the growth of ordinary seed thus more and more cost...
E. Whether most of the farmers who tried the modified seed did so because they had previously had to use exceptionally large quantities of insecticide ( no, incorrect)
only B left. B. Whether the insecticides typically used on ordinary cotton tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops. if the insecticides used on ordinary seed tend to be more expensive but the amount it gives is the same like other crop, i dont think its smart to plant the ordinary seed. Moreover, the new seed's insecticides cost less, the amount of insecticides of new seed is less,why dont use new seed?!?!
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Gurus any thoughts on this one???

So many OA's pouring in

Please help us with the correct OA now

Thanks

I concede to OA, i.e., option B.
See, there is one fact given in the stimulus that the amount of insecticide needed per acre to control insect pests was only slightly lower for those who tried the modified seed than for those who did not. So, we can't question it at all. The only thing we've to attack is the conclusion that switching to modified seeds wouldn't be economical. Again, it is evident from the stimulus that modified seeds are costlier than the ordinary seeds. The only thing left out to impact the economy of switching to modified seeds is the difference in the cost of insecticide used on ordinary cotton and of that which is used on other crops(which includes cotton from modified seeds). Although option B is not air-tight with the use of 'other' crops, it still is the best option.