Which of the following most logically completes the argument?

A new machine for harvesting corn will allow rows to be planted only fifteen inches apart, instead of the usual thirty inches. Corn planted this closely will produce lower yields per plant. Nevertheless, the new machine will allow corn growers to double their profits per acre because ________.

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

with the closer spacing of the rows, the growing corn plants will quickly form a dense canopy of leaves, which will, by shading the ground, minimize the need for costly weed control and irrigation

Correct

with the closer spacing of the rows, corn plants will be forced to grow taller because of increased competition for sunlight from neighboring corn plants

with the larger number of plants growing per acre, more fertilizer will be required

with the spacing between rows cut by half, the number of plants grown per acre will almost double

with the closer spacing of the rows, the acreage on which corn is planted will be utilized much more intensively than it was before, requiring more frequent fallow years in which corn fields are left unplanted

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What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can complete the last sentence of an argument in a way that is logically consistent with it.

Common trap

Choosing an option that sounds plausible but contradicts the argument or introduces new information.