PrepTest 109, Section 2, Question 18
Experts anticipate that global atmospheric concentrations of carbon(445 more words not shown)
The passage suggests that Patterson(24 more words not shown)
- AThey will not(9 more words not shown)
- BThey will inhibit(12 more words not shown)
- CThey are unlikely(11 more words not shown)
- DThey will increase(18 more words not shown)
- EThey will not(13 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
More growth doesn't necessarily mean more corn. Patterson and Flint say weeds may get a larger boost than crops. Picture the extra CO2 helping the corn, but helping its competitors even more. The field can have more vigorous vegetation and still give us less of the crop we intended to harvest.
What we’re looking for
That's the prediction: different plants benefit by different amounts. Keep growth and crop yield separate.
Working the answers
- A
This says most plants won't grow faster. The discussion instead describes growth as “generally enhanced,” with unequal gains. That isn't a finding that most species fail to benefit.
- B
Lower yields are possible, but not because CO2 directly inhibits most crops. The explanation is increased competition from weeds. B also extends the claim to most crops, which the research summary doesn't establish.
- C
The concern is that plants with a current efficiency advantage may lose it as other plants improve. C wrongly dismisses lower-efficiency plants as unlikely beneficiaries.
- DCorrect
This is the unequal boost we predicted. Patterson and Flint connect reduced crop yields to the “increased performance of certain weeds.” Some species gaining more than others explains how increased plant growth can still disappoint farmers.
- E
Less improvement than a competitor doesn't mean no effect. We aren't told that the most efficient plants' photosynthetic rates would remain unchanged. Their current advantage may shrink even if they benefit too.
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