It is Crucially Important to Farmers that the Herbicides they use to Control Weeds not Damage their Crops.

Question: It is crucially important to farmers that the herbicides they use to control weeds not damage their crops. One very effective herbicide is safe for corn but lethal to soybeans. To maintain the nutrients in the soil, soybeans and corn are frequently sown in a field in alternate years. Therefore, in such fields, the herbicide can safely be used on the corn, since the two crops are not sown together in the same field.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

(A) The herbicide has not been shown to harm insects, birds, or other animals that come in contact with it.
(B) Scientists have so far failed in their attempts to breed soybeans that are resistant to the herbicide.
(C) Some of the herbicide persists as a residue in the soil for over a year.
(D) To be effective, the herbicide must be applied early in the growing season of the corn.
(E) Soybean crops do not require the application of herbicides to the same extent as do corn crops.

“It is crucially important to farmers that the herbicides they use to control weeds not damage their crops.” – is a GMAT Critical question. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review, 2015’. This weakens the argument type of question. In this particular topic, candidates need to choose the option that best suits the passage. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, or find the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: C
Explanation:

This weakens the argument type of question. We need to check the premise and the conclusion from the passage.

Premise :- soybeans and corn are frequently sown in a field in alternate years.

Conclusion :- in such fields, the herbicide ( lethal to soybeans ) can safely be used on the corn, since the two crops are not sown together in the same field.

Now, to weaken this conclusion we need to show that " in such fields, the herbicide can NOT safely be used on the corn, since the two crops are not sown together in the same field."

This will weaken the argument or the conclusion.

(A) The herbicide has not been shown to harm insects, birds, or other animals that come in contact with it. - This statement informs us that herbicide is good with our insects and birds. However, we need to see if it will harm the soybean crop in any way. We are not getting any idea about such a scenario. Hence , since this option does not impact the author's conclusion, it is an incorrect choice.

(B) Scientists have so far failed in their attempts to breed soybeans that are resistant to the herbicide. - This option doesn't seem to lay doubts on the author's conclusion in any way. It has no impact on the conclusion as stated by the author. Hence, we can consider this as an incorrect choice.

(C) Some of the herbicide persists as a residue in the soil for over a year. - This option suggests that the herbicide might stay in the soil when time to grow soybean has come. There will be a clash then and soybean might die. Hence, the herbicide can not safely be used on corn. This means that the author’s conclusion does not commit here.

So this is the correct choice.

(D) To be effective, the herbicide must be applied early in the growing season of the corn. - This option states how to use herbicide for corn crops. However, it does not tell us how soon this will affect the soybean crop which has to be grown next year. It says how herbicide must be applied to be effective. This does not impact the author's conclusion in no way. Hence, it is an Incorrect choice.

(E) Soybean crops do not require the application of herbicides to the same extent as do corn crops. - It states that soybean crops might not be exposed to higher quantities of herbicide in general. This does not tell us how growing the two crops in alternate years might still actually lead to soybean crops dying eventually. Hence, it has no impact on the author's conclusion. The conclusion still stands as it is. Hence it is also an incorrect choice.

Suggested GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions

• Time management techniques have regularly been used to improve employee productivity in many organizations.
• Engineer: I've noticed that the builders are mixing 10% more than the regular amount of chemical hardener
• According to a consumer research group survey, the majority of kitchen appliances purchased in the United States are purchased by men.
• Secret passwords are often used to control access to computers.
• A series of experiments was conducted in which rats of various ages
• Company A and Company B both produce gold watches.
• Working professionals aged between 35 and 45 are more likely to purchase the latest gadgets
• The federal government expects hospitals to perform 10,000 organ transplants next year.
• Of all of the surgeons practicing at the city hospital, the chief surgeon has the worst record
• According to experts on shopping behavior, more shoppers would shop at Jerrod’s department store if they were offered the convenience of shopping carts.
• A certain pharmaceutical firm claims that its dietary supplement, Dietol, is highly effective in helping obese people lose weight and improve physical endurance.
• Rural households have more purchasing power than do urban or suburban households at the same income level
• Almost all of the residents of Lonelitown drink cheap bottled mineral water
• Scientists are discussing ways to remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by increasing the amount that is absorbed by plant life
• Start-up companies financed by venture capitalist have a much lower failure rate than companies financed by other means
• In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard
• John is married to Jane
• Political Advertisement: Mayor Delmont's critics complain about the jobs
• Student: To improve business you should put up a sign offering a special deal of 12 croissants for only $3
• Alcohol-control advocates argue that television advertising plays a large role in leading teenagers to drink.