All Courses
Explore Courses UPSC Exam UPSC Test Series Free Notes EduRev Infinity Get the App Login Join for Free
Sign in Open App
GMAT Exam  >  GMAT Questions  >  As a result of implementing an experimental f... Start Learning for Free
SaveJoin the Discussion on the App
As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.
Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?
  • a)
    As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.
  • b)
    Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.
  • c)
    The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.
  • d)
    A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.
  • e)
    Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.
Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
FREE This question is part of
Download PDF Attempt Test
Download PDF Attempt this Test
Verified Answer
As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combin...
The yield at a central Californian farm dropped significantly after 6 years of consistent growth. Clearly, something of importance to the yield changed. Some possibilities include: (1) a storm decimated the crop (although this level of storm could have only hit this year, as the crops grew "consistently and considerably over the past six years") (2) the farmer stopped using the technique (3) over a period of six years, the technique overused natural soil nutrients and drained important chemicals that the farm crops needed to grow.
A. The original argument pertains to a decline in the yield of the farm, not a decline in the buyers. The farm's yield has no relationship with the number of buyers as yield simply refers to the ratio of seeds planted to crops available for harvest.
B. Although this confirms that the drop the farm in central California experienced is not unique, it does not explain the drop in yield.
C. Since a drought occurred 9 years ago prior to the experimental system and during the experimental system (3 years ago) without any affect on yields, it is not logical to conclude that the drought caused the decline in yields this year. In other words, since the yield grew "consistently" even during the drought 3 years ago and 6 years ago, it is illogical to conclude that the drought caused the decline in yield this year.
D. The circumstances between the two experimental systems are too different to allow comparisons and a logical deduction that the errors of the Iowa system explain the errors of the central California system. Specifically: (1) the length of time before declines in yields occurred differed considerably (2) the crops the farm produced differed (3) the geographic region of the farm (and climate) differed considerably.
E. The sustained (6 years, "consistently") and significant ("considerably") expansion in productivity ("yield") led to exhaustion of nutrients, meaning crops could not attain the chemical compounds they needed to grow. This answer explains why the crop yield dropped after so many years and why it dropped after years of growth.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combin...


Explanation:

Increased Agricultural Productivity:
- The experimental farming system implemented at the farm in central California led to consistently high yields over the past six years.
- Aggressive fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides were key components of this system.

Exhaustion of Nutrients:
- Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity can eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in the land.
- This exhaustion can result in decreased soil fertility, which in turn can lead to lower crop yields.
- The farm may have depleted crucial nutrients in the soil due to the aggressive farming practices, causing the unexpected drop in yield this year.

Therefore, the most plausible explanation for the unexpected plummet in yields at the farm in central California is the exhaustion of important nutrients in the land due to sustained increases in agricultural productivity. This highlights the importance of sustainable farming practices to maintain soil health and ensure consistent crop yields in the long term.
Attention GMAT Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed GMAT study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in GMAT.
< Previous Question Next Question >
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Similar GMAT Doubts

One of the foundations of scientific research is that an experimental result is credible only if it can be replicated—only if performing the experiment a second time leads to the same result. But physicists John Sommerer and Edward Ott have conceived of a physical system in which even the least change in the starting conditions—no matter how small, inadvertent, or undetectable—can alter results radically. The system is represented by a computer model of a mathematical equation describing the motion of a particle placed in a particular type of force field.Sommerer and Ott based their system on an analogy with the phenomena known as riddled basins of attraction. If two bodies of water bound a large landmass and water is spilled somewhere on the land, the water will eventually make its way to one or the other body of water, its destination depending on such factors as where the water is spilled and the geographic features that shape the water’s path and velocity. The basin of attraction for a body of water is the area of land that, whenever water is spilled on it, always directs the spilled water to that body.In some geographical formations it is sometimes impossible to predict, not only the exact destination of the spilled water, but even which body of water it will end up in. This is because the boundary between one basin of attraction and another is riddled with fractal properties; in other words, the boundary is permeated by an extraordinarily high number of physical irregularities such as notches or zigzags. Along such a boundary, the only way to determine where spilled water will flow at any given point is actually to spill it and observe its motion; spilling the water at any immediately adjacent point could give the water an entirely different path, velocity, or destination.In the system posited by the two physicists, this boundary expands to include the whole system: i.e., the entire force field is riddled with fractal properties, and it is impossible to predict even the general destination of the particle given its starting point. Sommerer and Ott make a distinction between this type of uncertainty and that known as “chaos”; under chaos, a particle’s general destination would be predictable but its path and exact destination would not.There are presumably other such systems because the equation the physicists used to construct the computer model was literally the first one they attempted, and the likelihood that they chose the only equation that would lead to an unstable system is small. If other such systems do exist, metaphorical examples of riddled basins of attraction may abound in the failed attempts of scientists to replicate previous experimental results—in which case, scientists would be forced to question one of the basic principles that guide their work.Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

A basic principle of ecology is that population size is partly a reflection of available food resources. Recent experiments suggest that the relationship is more complex than formerly thought. Specifically, the browsing of certain rodents appears to trigger chemical reactions in food plants which, in turn, affect the size of the rodent populations. Two examples of such regulation have been reported.Berger has demonstrated the power of a naturally occurring chemical called 6-MBOA to stimulate reproductive behavior in the mountain vole, a small mouse-like rodent. 6 MBOA forms in young grass in response to browsing by voles. Berger experimented by feeding oats coated with 6-MBOA to non-breeding winter populations of voles. After three weeks, she found a high incidence of pregnancy among females. Since the timing of reproduction is crucial to the short-lived vole in an environment in which the onset of vegetative growth may be considerably delayed, the phytochemical triggering of reproductive behavior represents a significant biological adaptation.In an example reported by Bryant, plants appear to have developed a phytochemical defense against the depredations of snowshoe hares in Canada. Every ten years, for reasons that are unclear, the hare population swells. The result is overbrowsing of certain deciduous trees and shrubs. Bryant found that trees favored by the hare produce young shoots high in terpene and phenolic resins, which discourage hare browsing. After treating non-resinous willow twigs with resinous extracts and placing treated and untreated samples at hare feeding stations, Bryant found that samples containing at least half of the resin concentration of natural twigs were untouched. The avoidance of resinous shoots, he concludes, may play a role in the decline of the hare population to normal levels.Both of these reports suggest areas for further research. For example, data should be reviewed to determine if periodic population explosions among lemmings (another small rodent living in a northern environment) occur during years in which there is an early onset of vegetative growth; if so, a triggering mechanism similar to that prompted by the vole may be involved.Which of the following statements can be inferred about plant shoots containing large amounts of terpene and phenolic resins?I. They serve as a form of natural defense.II. Their growth is stimulated by increases in the hare population.III. They are unappetizing to hares.

A recent ball-catching experiment conducted in space by astronauts on board a space shuttle has led neuroscientists to conclude that the brain contains an internal model of gravity that is both powerful and persistent. At the same time, the experiment provided evidence that the brain can adapt to environments in which the force of downward acceleration is less pronounced than it is on earth.The experiment’s outcomes suggested that an individual’s understanding of motion is hard-wired from an earthcentric perspective. In the experiment, the astronauts were asked to catch balls released from a spring-loaded cannon.Analyzing data gathered from infrared tracking cameras and electrodes placed on the astronauts’ arms, McIntyre, the experiment’s principal designer, noticed that the astronauts’ anticipation of the ball’s motion was slightly off. Though they were able to catch the ball, the astronauts expected the ball to move faster than it did. He theorized that this over-anticipation is due to the fact that the brain expects the force of the earth’s gravity to act on the ball.The experiment also demonstrates the brain’s ability to adjust to conditions that run counter to its pre-set wiring.While the astronauts did not adapt to the conditions in space for some time, by day 15 of the experiment, the amplitude of the premature arm movements decreased and a new well-timed arm movement immediately preceded the catch. Upon returning to earth, the astronauts again mis-anticipated the ball’s motion, though this time the ball moved faster than anticipated. However, the astronauts were able to adjust back to the earth’s gravitational effect on the balls much more quickly than they had been able to adapt to the conditions in space.Many scientists view the findings as a first step in research that could have serious practical benefits. The ability of astronauts to safely explore space and investigate other planets is dependent on understanding the differences between our physical reactions on earth and elsewhere.On another level, understanding timing processes in the body might lead to the development of treatments for coordination problems experienced by individuals with certain types of brain damage.Q.The primary purpose of the passage is to

A basic principle of ecology is that population size is partly a reflection of available food resources. Recent experiments suggest that the relationship is more complex than formerly thought. Specifically, the browsing of certain rodents appears to trigger chemical reactions in food plants which, in turn, affect the size of the rodent populations. Two examples of such regulation have been reported.Berger has demonstrated the power of a naturally occurring chemical called 6-MBOA to stimulate reproductive behavior in the mountain vole, a small mouse-like rodent. 6 MBOA forms in young grass in response to browsing by voles. Berger experimented by feeding oats coated with 6-MBOA to non-breeding winter populations of voles. After three weeks, she found a high incidence of pregnancy among females. Since the timing of reproduction is crucial to the short-lived vole in an environment in which the onset of vegetative growth may be considerably delayed, the phytochemical triggering of reproductive behavior represents a significant biological adaptation.In an example reported by Bryant, plants appear to have developed a phytochemical defense against the depredations of snowshoe hares in Canada. Every ten years, for reasons that are unclear, the hare population swells. The result is overbrowsing of certain deciduous trees and shrubs. Bryant found that trees favored by the hare produce young shoots high in terpene and phenolic resins, which discourage hare browsing. After treating non-resinous willow twigs with resinous extracts and placing treated and untreated samples at hare feeding stations, Bryant found that samples containing at least half of the resin concentration of natural twigs were untouched. The avoidance of resinous shoots, he concludes, may play a role in the decline of the hare population to normal levels.Both of these reports suggest areas for further research. For example, data should be reviewed to determine if periodic population explosions among lemmings (another small rodent living in a northern environment) occur during years in which there is an early onset of vegetative growth; if so, a triggering mechanism similar to that prompted by the vole may be involved.The author provides specific information to answer which of the following questions?

Top Courses for GMATView all

Top Courses for GMAT

As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice As a result of implementing an experimental farming system that combined aggressive new fertilization, deep irrigation, and speculative pesticides, the yield on crops at a farm in central California grew consistently and considerably over the past six years. However, yields this year unexpectedly plummeted, causing the farm's owners considerable financial difficulties.Q. Which of the following statements, if true, best explains the unexpected drop in yield?a)As a result of a serious and recent economic recession, the market for the products the farm produced shrank in size during the past year.b)Other farms that began using the experimental system at about the same time also reported an unexpected plummet in yields this year.c)The central California region where the farm in question is located experienced a drought 9 years ago, 3 years ago, and this past year.d)A different experimental system, used on a different crop, failed after two years at a farm in Iowa. Scientists later discovered that chemicals involved in this different system slowly poisoned the soil.e)Significant and sustained increases in agricultural productivity eventually lead to an exhaustion of important nutrients in land.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Explore Courses

Suggested Free Tests

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Get App
© EduRev
Education Revolution
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days!
Access 1000+ FREE Docs, Videos and Tests
Takes less than 10 seconds to signup