‘B’ checks whether price has remained steady over the years which will tell us about the increase or decrease in profits. Why is it wrong?
Scientists have modified feed corn genetically, increasing its resistance to insect pests. Farmers who tried out the genetically modifi ed corn last season applied less insecticide to their corn fi elds and still got yields comparable to those they would have gotten with ordinary corn. Ordinary corn seed, however, costs less, and what these farmers saved on insecticide rarely exceeded their extra costs for seed. Therefore, for most feed-corn farmers, switching to genetically modifi ed seed would be unlikely to increase profits.
Which of the following would it be most useful to know in order to evaluate the argument?
(A) Whether there are insect pests that sometimes reduce feed-corn yields, but against which commonly used insecticides and the genetic modification are equally ineffective
(B) Whether the price that farmers receive for feed corn has remained steady over the past few years
(C) Whether the insecticides typically used on feed corn tend to be more expensive than insecticides typically used on other crops
(D) Whether most of the farmers who tried the genetically modifi ed corn last season applied more insecticide than was actually necessary
(E) Whether, for most farmers who plant feed corn, it is their most profitable crop
Hi Ria,
The question here is whether farmers can make more profit if they switch to genetically modified seeds. We are specifically looking at genetically modified seeds as a reason for increased profits.
Option B talks about the price of the produce as a reason for increased profits. Hence it is incorrect.
Option D talks about the genetically modified seeds. It says farmers applied more pesticide than necessary. If this is the case, farmers could save money spent on insecticides. This would increase profits.
Hope this helps!
