The country of Baurisia has, until now, been self-sufficient in both grain and meat. However, with growing prosperity in Baurisia has come a steadily increasing per capita consumption of meat, and it takes several pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat. Therefore, since per capita income in Baurisia is almost certain to rise further but increases in domestic grain production are highly unlikely, Baurisia is soon to become an importer of grain.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
(A) When people increase their consumption of meat, they also tend to increase their consumption of grain.
(B) The per capita consumption of meat in Baurisia is roughly the same accross all income levels.
(C) Per capita consumption of meat has not increased substantially in recent years in those countries from which Baurisia is likely to import meat.
(D) It is more economical for Baurisians to import meat than grain.
(E) During Baurisia's years of growing prosperity, the country's population has remained relatively stable.
OA D
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The country of Baurisia has, until now, been self-sufficient
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Option A - INCORRECT.
This option is in support of the reasoning, which is the fact that Baurisia is soon to become an importer of grain because, when people increase their consumption of meat, they also tend to increase their consumption of grain since it takes several pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat.
Option B - INCORRECT.
The per capital consumption of meat in Baurisia is roughly the same across all income levels. This is the reason why there will be some importation policy o grains so as to continue to meet up with the high demand of meat which one of its highest production ingredient is grains.
Option C - INCORRECT.
Baurisia is certain about importation of grains from other countries. Per capital consumption of meat has not increased substantially in recent years in those countries from which Baurisia is likely to import grains from, because their level of consumption of meat and grains can't be compared to that of Baurisia.
Option D - CORRECT.
This option has seriously weaken the argument to which the Baurisia Government has proven in the argument. Since Baurisia already is a meat and grain producing country, It is more economical for Baurisians to ''produce'' than ''import'' meat than grain. However, the reason why Baurisia is considering an importation of grains from other countries is because there is a certainty of increase in the per capital income and also the increase in population and demand for meat by the citizens, which domestic grains production which is as the sole ingredient used in producing meats is unlikely to increase speedily to meet up with the high demand of meat which has helped increase the economy. Therefore, a consideration of importation of grains is better than importation of meat to the Baurisia government.
Option E - INCORRECT.
This option is not certain about the information given in the argument by saying ''the country's population has remained relatively stable''. Because, according to the argument it is presumably that, there has been an increasing population and also this has lead to an increasing demand for meat in Baurisia.
This option is in support of the reasoning, which is the fact that Baurisia is soon to become an importer of grain because, when people increase their consumption of meat, they also tend to increase their consumption of grain since it takes several pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat.
Option B - INCORRECT.
The per capital consumption of meat in Baurisia is roughly the same across all income levels. This is the reason why there will be some importation policy o grains so as to continue to meet up with the high demand of meat which one of its highest production ingredient is grains.
Option C - INCORRECT.
Baurisia is certain about importation of grains from other countries. Per capital consumption of meat has not increased substantially in recent years in those countries from which Baurisia is likely to import grains from, because their level of consumption of meat and grains can't be compared to that of Baurisia.
Option D - CORRECT.
This option has seriously weaken the argument to which the Baurisia Government has proven in the argument. Since Baurisia already is a meat and grain producing country, It is more economical for Baurisians to ''produce'' than ''import'' meat than grain. However, the reason why Baurisia is considering an importation of grains from other countries is because there is a certainty of increase in the per capital income and also the increase in population and demand for meat by the citizens, which domestic grains production which is as the sole ingredient used in producing meats is unlikely to increase speedily to meet up with the high demand of meat which has helped increase the economy. Therefore, a consideration of importation of grains is better than importation of meat to the Baurisia government.
Option E - INCORRECT.
This option is not certain about the information given in the argument by saying ''the country's population has remained relatively stable''. Because, according to the argument it is presumably that, there has been an increasing population and also this has lead to an increasing demand for meat in Baurisia.
