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Ferguson’s Disease, a disorder in redwood trees that is marked by a nutrient deficiency, is caused primarily by infestations of the fungus E. Coli but can also be a result of the use of fertilizers, which contain synthetic insecticides. Therefore, fertilizers should only be used on redwood trees when the soil surrounding them is proved to be rich in nutrients.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?
  • a)
    E. Coli causes trunk and branch decay that can cause redwood trees to collapse when unsuspecting climbers attempt to climb infected trees.
  • b)
    Fertilizers themselves are often a significant source of nutrients.
  • c)
    There is no way for redwood trees to gain nutrients except through osmosis via the soil.
  • d)
    The effects of synthetic insecticides are sometimes indistinguishable from the effects of E. Coli.
  • e)
    Synthetic ingredients in fertilizers also impact the overall productivity and growth of trees.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Ferguson’s Disease, a disorder in redwood trees that is marked b...
Ferguson’s Disease, a disorder in redwood trees that is marked by a nutrient deficiency, is caused primarily by infestations of the fungus E. Coli but can also be a result of the use of fertilizers, which contain synthetic insecticides. Therefore, fertilizers should only be used on redwood trees when the soil surrounding them is proved to be rich in nutrients.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?
Argument Analysis
 
Pre-Thinking
Conclusion Clarification
The author concludes that fertilizers should only be used on redwood trees when the soil surrounding them is proved to be rich in nutrients. This means that, in all other cases where the soil surrounding redwood trees is not proved to be rich in nutrients, fertilizers should not be used.
Pre-Thinking Approach
Let’s see how we can increase the belief in the conclusion.  To do so, we will look at the logical structure, focusing on linkage 1 and the conclusion.  Now, we need to understand why the author’s recommending the use of fertilizers only in this case. The author states that the disease is marked by a nutrient deficiency that can be caused by certain fertilizers. So, essentially, the author wants to assure that the nutrient deficiency causing effect of such fertilizers be cancelled by the availability of nutrients in the soil so that FD is not caused. Thus, the way to strengthen the conclusion will be to support this aspect.
Linkage#1
  • Strengthener 1 – Any evidence that shows that fertilizer usage causes Ferguson’s Disease in only those redwood trees that are not surrounded by nutrient-rich soil.
    • Instance:  A recent study covering 100 redwood trees showed that fertilizer usage caused Ferguson’s Disease in 20 trees out of which none was surrounded by nutrient-rich soil.
  • Strengthener 2 – What if there was some other source for RT to derive nutrients? In such a case, the author’s argument would be weakened as now even if the soil is not nutrient rich, the deficiency causing effect of such fertilizers could be countered by some other source. Hence, a statement defending the argument against such a scenario would also be a strengthener.
    • Instance: Redwood trees cannot derive nutrients from sources other than the surrounding soil.
With this understanding in mind, let's evaluate the answer choices.
 
Answer Choices
A
E. Coli causes trunk and branch decay that can cause redwood trees to collapse when unsuspecting climbers attempt to climb infected trees.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
The conclusion focuses only on the use of fertilizers. Therefore, the effect of E. Coli is not relevant.
B
Fertilizers themselves are often a significant source of nutrients.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
Even if that’s the case, we are already told in the argument that in the case of RT fertilizers can lead to FD.
C
There is no way for redwood trees to gain nutrients except through osmosis via the soil.
Correct
This option is on the same lines as the example we came up for strengthener 2 in the pre-thinking analysis.
D
The effects of synthetic insecticides are sometimes indistinguishable from the effects of E. Coli.
Incorrect - Opposite
If anything, this choice indicates that in some cases the real cause of FD in RT may not be fertilizers.
E
Synthetic ingredients in fertilizers also impact the overall productivity and growth of trees.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
First of all we do not know the implications of the word “impact” in this choice – does it mean a positive or a negative impact? Secondly, even if we take the negative meaning, the argument focuses only on avoiding FD in RT by limiting the use of fertilizers. It does not wish to make a case against the general use of fertilizers in trees.
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Ferguson’s Disease, a disorder in redwood trees that is marked by a nutrient deficiency, is caused primarily by infestations of the fungus E. Coli but can also be a result of the use of fertilizers, which contain synthetic insecticides. Therefore, fertilizers should only be used on redwood trees when the soil surrounding them is proved to be rich in nutrients.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?a)E. Coli causes trunk and branch decay that can cause redwood trees to collapse when unsuspecting climbers attempt to climb infected trees.b)Fertilizers themselves are often a significant source of nutrients.c)There is no way for redwood trees to gain nutrients except through osmosis via the soil.d)The effects of synthetic insecticides are sometimes indistinguishable from the effects of E. Coli.e)Synthetic ingredients in fertilizers also impact the overall productivity and growth of trees.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Ferguson’s Disease, a disorder in redwood trees that is marked by a nutrient deficiency, is caused primarily by infestations of the fungus E. Coli but can also be a result of the use of fertilizers, which contain synthetic insecticides. Therefore, fertilizers should only be used on redwood trees when the soil surrounding them is proved to be rich in nutrients.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?a)E. Coli causes trunk and branch decay that can cause redwood trees to collapse when unsuspecting climbers attempt to climb infected trees.b)Fertilizers themselves are often a significant source of nutrients.c)There is no way for redwood trees to gain nutrients except through osmosis via the soil.d)The effects of synthetic insecticides are sometimes indistinguishable from the effects of E. Coli.e)Synthetic ingredients in fertilizers also impact the overall productivity and growth of trees.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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 Ferguson’s Disease, a disorder in redwood trees that is marked by a nutrient deficiency, is caused primarily by infestations of the fungus E. Coli but can also be a result of the use of fertilizers, which contain synthetic insecticides. Therefore, fertilizers should only be used on redwood trees when the soil surrounding them is proved to be rich in nutrients.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?a)E. Coli causes trunk and branch decay that can cause redwood trees to collapse when unsuspecting climbers attempt to climb infected trees.b)Fertilizers themselves are often a significant source of nutrients.c)There is no way for redwood trees to gain nutrients except through osmosis via the soil.d)The effects of synthetic insecticides are sometimes indistinguishable from the effects of E. Coli.e)Synthetic ingredients in fertilizers also impact the overall productivity and growth of trees.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Ferguson’s Disease, a disorder in redwood trees that is marked by a nutrient deficiency, is caused primarily by infestations of the fungus E. Coli but can also be a result of the use of fertilizers, which contain synthetic insecticides. Therefore, fertilizers should only be used on redwood trees when the soil surrounding them is proved to be rich in nutrients.Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?a)E. Coli causes trunk and branch decay that can cause redwood trees to collapse when unsuspecting climbers attempt to climb infected trees.b)Fertilizers themselves are often a significant source of nutrients.c)There is no way for redwood trees to gain nutrients except through osmosis via the soil.d)The effects of synthetic insecticides are sometimes indistinguishable from the effects of E. Coli.e)Synthetic ingredients in fertilizers also impact the overall productivity and growth of trees.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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