In parts of South America, vitamin-A deficiency is a serious health problem, especially among children. In one region, agriculturists are attempting to improve nutrition by encouraging farmers to plant a new variety of sweet potato called SPK004 that is rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. The plan has good chances of success, since sweet potato is a staple of the region’s diet and agriculture, and the varieties currently grown contain little beta-carotene.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the prediction that the plan will succeed?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

The growing conditions required by the varieties of sweet potato currently cultivated in the region are conditions in which SPK004 can flourish.

Correct

The flesh of SPK004 differs from that of the currently cultivated sweet potatoes in color and texture, so traditional foods would look somewhat different when prepared from SPK004.

There are no other varieties of sweet potato that are significantly richer in beta-carotene than SPK004 is.

The varieties of sweet potato currently cultivated in the region contain some important nutrients that are lacking in SPK004.

There are other vegetables currently grown in the region that contain more beta-carotene than the currently cultivated varieties of sweet potato do

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Comments

AbidJun 28

Easy one. A basically tells us the new potato can actually grow there, so the plan has a shot.

MarcJul 11

yeah, that was my reasoning too. the others seem like they'd hurt or are irrelevant.

AleenaJun 1

Wait why is E wrong? If other veggies already have more beta-carotene, doesn't that help nutrition?

DevanganaJun 11

E talks about other vegetables, not the sweet potato plan. It doesn't support that farmers will plant SPK004 or that it'll work.

ManuJun 8

Also it could mean people already get enough, so the plan isn't needed. Either way it doesn't strengthen.

SiddharthJun 12

B and D sound like they'd make farmers less likely to adopt it. color and texture changing is a real issue.

JackJun 13

got this right but took me a sec. the key word is 'support the prediction that the plan will succeed' — so we need something showing feasibility.

NafisJun 23

fr, sub-505 but the wording trips you up if you rush.

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most bolsters an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an option that is consistent with the argument but adds no new support, or that shifts the topic.