Crops can be traded on the futures market before they are harvested. If a poor corn harvest is predicted, prices
of corn futures rise; if a bountiful corn harvest is predicted, prices of corn futures fall. This morning meteorologists are predicting much-needed rain for the corn-growing region starting tomorrow. Therefore, since adequate moisture is essential for the current crop's survival, prices of corn futures will fall sharply today.
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above?
(A) Corn that does not receive adequate moisture during its critical pollination stage will not produce a
bountiful harvest.
(B) Futures prices for corn have been fluctuating more dramatically this season than last season.
(C) The rain that meteorologists predicted for tomorrow is expected to extend well beyond the corn-growing
region.
(D) Agriculture experts announced today that a disease that has devastated some of the corn crop will spread
widely before the end of the growing season.
(E) Most people who trade in corn futures rarely take physical possession of the corn they trade.
OA: D
I narrowed down the answer to A, D and E.
can someone explain~~ thank u!
Crops in the future market.
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This morning meteorologists are predicting MUCH-NEEDED RAIN for the corn-growing region starting tomorrow.
If A BOUNTIFUL CORN HARVEST is predicted, prices of corn futures fall.
Conclusion:
Prices of corn futures will fall sharply today.
Assumption:
Predicting MUCH-NEEDED RAIN = A BOUNTIFUL CORN HARVEST is predicted.
The correct answer will weaken the conclusion by attacking this assumption.
Answer choice D: Agriculture experts announced today that a disease that has devastated some of the corn crop will spread widely before the end of the growing season.
Thus, it is NOT true that a bountiful harvest is predicted, WEAKENING the conclusion that prices of corn futures will fall.
The correct answer is D.
Premises:amysky_0205 wrote:Crops can be traded on the futures market before they are harvested. If a poor corn harvest is predicted, prices
of corn futures rise; if a bountiful corn harvest is predicted, prices of corn futures fall. This morning meteorologists are predicting much-needed rain for the corn-growing region starting tomorrow. Therefore, since adequate moisture is essential for the current crop's survival, prices of corn futures will fall sharply today.
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above?
(A) Corn that does not receive adequate moisture during its critical pollination stage will not produce a
bountiful harvest.
(B) Futures prices for corn have been fluctuating more dramatically this season than last season.
(C) The rain that meteorologists predicted for tomorrow is expected to extend well beyond the corn-growing
region.
(D) Agriculture experts announced today that a disease that has devastated some of the corn crop will spread
widely before the end of the growing season.
(E) Most people who trade in corn futures rarely take physical possession of the corn they trade.
OA: D
I narrowed down the answer to A, D and E.
can someone explain~~ thank u!
This morning meteorologists are predicting MUCH-NEEDED RAIN for the corn-growing region starting tomorrow.
If A BOUNTIFUL CORN HARVEST is predicted, prices of corn futures fall.
Conclusion:
Prices of corn futures will fall sharply today.
Assumption:
Predicting MUCH-NEEDED RAIN = A BOUNTIFUL CORN HARVEST is predicted.
The correct answer will weaken the conclusion by attacking this assumption.
Answer choice D: Agriculture experts announced today that a disease that has devastated some of the corn crop will spread widely before the end of the growing season.
Thus, it is NOT true that a bountiful harvest is predicted, WEAKENING the conclusion that prices of corn futures will fall.
The correct answer is D.
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I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
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Hey GMATGuruNY,GMATGuruNY wrote:=Premises:amysky_0205 wrote:Crops can be traded on the futures market before they are harvested. If a poor corn harvest is predicted, prices
of corn futures rise; if a bountiful corn harvest is predicted, prices of corn futures fall. This morning meteorologists are predicting much-needed rain for the corn-growing region starting tomorrow. Therefore, since adequate moisture is essential for the current crop's survival, prices of corn futures will fall sharply today.
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above?
(A) Corn that does not receive adequate moisture during its critical pollination stage will not produce a
bountiful harvest.
(B) Futures prices for corn have been fluctuating more dramatically this season than last season.
(C) The rain that meteorologists predicted for tomorrow is expected to extend well beyond the corn-growing
region.
(D) Agriculture experts announced today that a disease that has devastated some of the corn crop will spread
widely before the end of the growing season.
(E) Most people who trade in corn futures rarely take physical possession of the corn they trade.
OA: D
I narrowed down the answer to A, D and E.
can someone explain~~ thank u!
This morning meteorologists are predicting MUCH-NEEDED RAIN for the corn-growing region starting tomorrow.
If A BOUNTIFUL CORN HARVEST is predicted, prices of corn futures fall.
Conclusion:
Prices of corn futures will fall sharply today.
Assumption:
Predicting MUCH-NEEDED RAIN = A BOUNTIFUL CORN HARVEST is predicted.
The correct answer will weaken the conclusion by attacking this assumption.
Answer choice D: Agriculture experts announced today that a disease that has devastated some of the corn crop will spread widely before the end of the growing season.
Thus, it is NOT true that a bountiful harvest is predicted, WEAKENING the conclusion that prices of corn futures will fall.
The correct answer is D.
can you explain why other options are wrong?
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)(A) describes when the best time for rain is. However, it does not describe whether the prices will rise or fall today. Out of scope.
(B) Comparison betwee this season and the last is not important for the argument at stake; it neither supports nor refutes the conclusion that prices will fall.
(C) It doesn't matter if the rain goes beyond the corn-growing area because we need only that which affects the corn growth. Out of Scope.
(D) Correct. This gives us a reason the prices will rise (disease kills crop, cuts supply, demand remains) even though the rain appears to be something that will make a good harvest and prices should fall.
(E) Future trade is irrelevant
(B) Comparison betwee this season and the last is not important for the argument at stake; it neither supports nor refutes the conclusion that prices will fall.
(C) It doesn't matter if the rain goes beyond the corn-growing area because we need only that which affects the corn growth. Out of Scope.
(D) Correct. This gives us a reason the prices will rise (disease kills crop, cuts supply, demand remains) even though the rain appears to be something that will make a good harvest and prices should fall.
(E) Future trade is irrelevant