Insect infestations in certain cotton-growing regions of the world have caused dramatic increases in the price of cotton on the world market. By contrast, the price of soybeans has long remained stable. Knowing that cotton plants mature quickly, many soybean growers in Ortovia plan to cease growing soybeans and begin raising cotton instead, thereby taking advantage of the high price of cotton to increase their income significantly, at least over the next several years.


Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the plan’s chances for success?



(A) The cost of raising soybeans has increased significantly over the past several years and is expected to continue to climb.


(B) Tests of a newly developed, inexpensive pesticide have shown it to be both environmentally safe and effective against the insects that have infested cotton crops.


(C) In the past several years, there has been no sharp increase in the demand for cotton and for goods made out of cotton.


(D) Few consumers would be willing to pay significantly higher prices for cotton goods than they are now paying.


(E) The species of insect that has infested cotton plants has never been known to attack soybean plants.


We need to look for an option that weakens the plan’s chances for success


Let’s look at premises and conclusion of the argument-



Insect infestations have caused dramatic increases in the price of cotton on the world market

the price of soybeans has long remained stable

cotton plants mature quickly


soybean growers’ plan (what we have to weaken)-


to cease growing soybeans and begin raising cotton instead, thereby taking advantage of the high price of cotton to increase their income significantly, at least over the next several years.

The plan is to substitute soybean with cotton to take advantage of the high price of cotton and increase their income significantly.


  1. The cost of raising soybeans has increased significantly over the past several years and is expected to continue to climb.

This only provides all the more support to the soybean growers to cease growing soybeans and begin raising cotton instead. Eliminate. 


(B) Tests of a newly developed, inexpensive pesticide have shown it to be both environmentally safe and effective against the insects that have infested cotton crops.


In that case, it will affect the dramatic increase in the price of cottons. If there’s no increase in the price of cottons, then the plan of soybean growers to cultivate cotton instead of soybeans will be in vain. This weakens the plan’s chances for success and is hence the correct answer.

(C) In the past several years, there has been no sharp increase in the demand for cotton and for goods made out of cotton.

The premise states that there has been a dramatic increase in the price of cotton. Option C does not impact the conclusion. Eliminate.


(D) Few consumers would be willing to pay significantly higher prices for cotton goods than they are now paying.

The conclusion is drawn on the basis of the current prices. Eliminate.


(E) The species of insect that has infested cotton plants has never been known to attack soybean plants.

Not relevant. The plan is to cease growing soybeans and grow cotton instead.  Eliminate.