Peter: Because the leaves of

Answer choices

1. A

   No Impact3% picked this

   The leaves of some crop plants are much larger, and therefore absorb more water, than the leaves of

   While it notes differences in water absorption among crops, it doesn't address whether mildly drought-stressed plants will benefit crops overall with reduced insect damage.

   3%
2. B

   No Impact3% picked this

   In industrialized nations there are more crops that are abundantly watered than there are crops grown

   The relative abundance of crops being abundantly watered versus mildly drought-stressed is irrelevant to the argument about reducing insect damage through less watering for specific crops.

   3%
3. C

   Correct89% picked this

   Insect damage presents a greater threat to crop plants than does

   Why this is right

   This choice emphasizes that insect damage is a greater threat to crops than mild drought stress. Thus, if slightly reducing water to gain tough leaves indeed minimizes insect feeding, it provides stronger justification for Peter's recommendation since it focuses on addressing the more serious threat.

   Skill tested: Strengthen · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   89%
4. D

   No Impact2% picked this

   Farmers are not always able to control the amount of water that their crops receive when, for instance, there are rainstorms in the

   This option points out potential variability in watering due to external factors like rain, but it doesn't discuss how this variability would affect the balance of insect versus drought stress damage.

   2%
5. E

   Opposite (if anything) No Impact3% picked this

   Mexican bean beetles are more likely to feed on the leaves of slightly drought-stressed soybeans than oak lace bugs are to feed on

   Because this compares two different bugs eating two different versions of the soybean (drier vs moister), it's impossible to derive anything from it. "Bob is more likely to eat dry X than Karen is to eat moist X". Okay, what does that tell me??? But if anything, this makes it sound like the drier leaves are more likely to be eaten, which works against the author's plan.

   3%