The alfalfa industry requires comparatively large amounts of water. The past decade has seen both a steep rise in the price of water for agriculture and also a rise of 15% in overall profits in the alfalfa industry, even though the market price of alfalfa didn't fluctuate substantially.
Any of the following statements, if true, helps to explain the rise in profits EXCEPT
A. The number of alfalfa growers has grown by 25%.
B. The price of shipping and handling has risen by 15%.
C. The formation of the Alfalfa Growers Union has enabled alfalfa growers to obtain substantially lower prices for agricultural machinery.
D. A nationwide best-seller published at the beginning of the decade postulates a healthy diet, in which alfalfa is a staple.
E. New overseas markets for alfalfa have opened recently.
The question asks us to find an option that does not help resolve the paradox in the argument.
What is the paradox in the argument?
The alfalfa industry requires comparatively large amounts of water.
The past decade has seen both-
a steep rise in the price of water for agriculture
a rise of 15% in overall profits in the alfalfa industry,
even though the market price of alfalfa didn't fluctuate substantially.
How?
A. The number of alfalfa growers has grown by 25%.
helps explain why there was an increase in an overall increase in the alfalfa industry.
helps resolve the paradox. Eliminate.
B. The price of shipping and handling has risen by 15%.
Option B adds to the paradox present in the argument.
How did the overall profits go up despite the rise in shipping and handling charges?
Option B doesn’t resolve the paradox in the argument. Correct.
C. The formation of the Alfalfa Growers Union has enabled alfalfa growers to obtain substantially lower prices for agricultural machinery.
Lower prices for agricultural machinery will only add to the overall profits in the alfalfa industry.
helps resolve the paradox. Eliminate.
D. A nationwide best-seller published at the beginning of the decade postulates a healthy diet, in which alfalfa is a staple.
More reason for people to buy alfalfa- more profit
helps resolve the paradox. Eliminate.
E. New overseas markets for alfalfa have opened recently.
New overseas markets have opened- more revenue- more profit
Helps resolve the paradox. Eliminate.