PrepTest 157, Section 3, Question 1
Over the long run, apple orchards that use(46 more words not shown)
Which one of the following,(6 more words not shown)
- AThe use of(12 more words not shown)
- BThe apple orchards(22 more words not shown)
- CDemand for a(9 more words not shown)
- DMost people prefer(8 more words not shown)
- EMany consumers prefer(14 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Better tasting apples sound like a good product. But how does better taste turn into more profit?
First, the comparison is over the long run. That makes me wonder about getting through the short run: what if an organic orchard produced nothing for its first few years and went out of business? The passage doesn't settle that concern. It does tell us that, over the long run, organic orchards can produce just as much without spending more. Let's accept that comparison and examine the proposed advantage.
People still have to buy the apples. When I pick one out at the store, I don't take a bite first. How will I know the organic one tastes better? And even if I know, will that affect what I'm willing to pay?
What we’re looking for
The question asks us to strengthen the argument. I'd look for a connection between flavor and sales: better tasting apples command more money, or their taste makes more people want them. With comparable costs and output, that would give us a reason to expect higher profits.
Working the answers
- A
Organic farming becoming more common doesn't tell us whether it makes orchards more profitable. Farmers could adopt it for other reasons. We need a connection between the better flavor and financial success, not a count of how many growers use the method.
- B
Which orchards are most profitable in the short run? We don't know. This might help if we had that information, but the passage only compares the methods over the long run. A rule connecting two periods cannot help us classify these orchards when we lack the starting information.
- CCorrect
Flavor is the main basis for demand. Now the organic apples' better taste gives buyers a reason to prefer them. Stronger demand can help an orchard sell its crop or charge a higher price. Either makes the profit prediction more plausible when production and costs are comparable. This doesn't guarantee a particular price or profit, but a strengthener doesn't have to guarantee the conclusion.
- D
If people mainly want the cheapest apples, better flavor may not persuade them to pay more. That creates a competing consideration rather than establishing the flavor-to-profit connection we want.
- E
This gives conventional apples an advantage: many buyers prefer their appearance. If appearance influences their purchases, the organic apples' flavor advantage may not translate into more sales. This goes against the argument's direction.
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