Confronting Agricultural Overproduction in Europe

Answer choices

1. A

   Unsupported: inconclusive Less Complete2% picked this

   A study is described, the results of the study are scrutinized, and the results are judged to

   This is somewhat tempting, and might ultimately be wrong because it's not the best expression of the organization (it never even references the Problem). But we also have a weak match for "results are judged to be inconclusive". In that last paragraph, we get ideas like: - Researchers have concluded that this is because X - These preliminary results suggest that Y. - Researchers now believe that B can happen if we do A. Yes, the 2nd idea there sounds suggestive, not conclusive, but the 1st and 3rd sound pretty conclusive!

   2%
2. B

   Bad Last Ingredient3% picked this

   A hypothesis is presented, evidence both supporting and undermining the hypothesis is given, and a modification of the

   If we skip to the ending and see "a modification of the hypothesis is argued for", we don't need to read the rest. A hypothesis is a causal explanation for something that transpired or is transpiring. This passage isn't focused on solving the causal mystery of how this soil got depleted. It is forward-looking, trying to come up with a plan to fix this problem. So in the last paragraph, the author is definitely not saying, "I think we should somewhat modify the causal story you're telling for why X happened."

   3%
3. C

   Less Complete4% picked this

   A study is evaluated, a plan of action based on the study's findings is suggested, and conclusions are drawn concerning the

   The last ingredient is a great match, so it seems worth reading. The first ingredient, "a study is evaluated", would match up with the beginning of the last paragraph. That would be where we realize this answer can't be right. There's no way the first ingredient in describing the organization of the passage should be something that doesn't occur until the final paragraph. This answer must be leaving out an account of what went down in the first 3 paragraphs.

   4%
4. D

   Trap6% picked this

   A goal is stated, studies are discussed that argue for modifying the goal's objectives, and a methodology is detailed

   Bad Last Ingredient Out of Scope: revised goal The last few sentences are all about assessing conclusions from this Dutch study and sort of looking forward to the future of implementing these ideas to fix our problem. We haven't revised our goal at all. Our goal is still to restore the natural balance of flora / fauna to the overused soil. And there's no detailed methodology (a step-by-step plan of what we're going to do) in the final sentences. There is only the final sentence which sounds like a plan to achieve the (original) goal: if we sow beneficial microorganisms systematically into the soil along with a wide variety of native plant seeds, then we can more quickly restore diversity aboveground and underground to damaged land. That sentence doesn't qualify as a detailed methodology.

   6%
5. E

   Correct85% picked this

   A problem is presented, a study addressing the problem is described, and a course of action based on

   Why this is right

   We match all this up, and it takes us on a journey from the beginning to the end of the passage. A problem is presented This covers the whole 1st paragraph up until its final sentence. A study addressing the problem is described This covers the final sentence of the 1st paragraph all the way until the final sentence of the passage. A course of action based on the study's findings is given This is the final sentence. Sometimes Organization answers are really imbalanced like this, as in the amount of lines covered by each ingredient are wildly different. That's why it's critical to think about Framework, and to be picky only when it comes to the first / last ingredient. This is the only answer that sounds like Problem + Solution!

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

   85%