Farming practiceSpring seasonSummer seasonAnnual averageOrganic methods0.52340.48760.5055Sustainable irrigation0.78910.82340.8063Agricultural economis...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
| Farming practice | Spring season | Summer season | Annual average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic methods | 0.5234 | 0.4876 | 0.5055 |
| Sustainable irrigation | 0.7891 | 0.8234 | 0.8063 |
Agricultural economist Dr. Sarah Kim and colleagues examined crop yield data and its relationship to different farming approaches across multiple growing seasons. Farmers reported production outcomes at different times, and researchers calculated effectiveness ratings for various agricultural methods. (Effectiveness ratings range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating greater effectiveness). The research team determined that sustainable irrigation demonstrates greater effectiveness than organic methods.
Which choice best describes data from the table that support the researchers' conclusion?
The effectiveness rating for organic methods in spring season is lower than the effectiveness rating for sustainable irrigation in annual average.
The effectiveness rating for sustainable irrigation in summer season is lower than the effectiveness rating for organic methods in spring season.
For each of the three measurement periods, effectiveness ratings for sustainable irrigation are higher than the corresponding ratings for organic methods.
For each of the three measurements, the effectiveness rating for organic methods is below \(0.6\) while the effectiveness rating for sustainable irrigation is above \(0.7\).
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| [TABLE DATA] Farming practice effectiveness ratings: Organic methods (Spring: 0.5234, Summer: 0.4876, Annual avg: 0.5055), Sustainable irrigation (Spring: 0.7891, Summer: 0.8234, Annual avg: 0.8063) |
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| "Agricultural economist Dr. Sarah Kim and colleagues examined crop yield data and its relationship to different farming approaches across multiple growing seasons." |
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| "Farmers reported production outcomes at different times, and researchers calculated effectiveness ratings for various agricultural methods." |
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| "The research team determined that sustainable irrigation demonstrates greater effectiveness than organic methods." |
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Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which data from the table supports the researchers' conclusion that sustainable irrigation is more effective than organic methods.
What type of answer do we need? Content Genre: Sciences, Content Format: Text + Data Table, Question Type: Strengthen / Weaken, Language Complexity: Accessible
Any limiting keywords? N/A
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- For the table data to support this conclusion, we need to see that sustainable irrigation consistently has higher effectiveness ratings than organic methods
- Looking at our table analysis, sustainable irrigation has higher numbers in every single measurement period compared to organic methods
The effectiveness rating for organic methods in spring season is lower than the effectiveness rating for sustainable irrigation in annual average.
✗ Incorrect
- Compares organic spring to sustainable annual average - while showing sustainable higher, it's comparing different time periods rather than like-with-like
The effectiveness rating for sustainable irrigation in summer season is lower than the effectiveness rating for organic methods in spring season.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims sustainable summer is lower than organic spring - actually, sustainable summer (0.8234) is higher than organic spring (0.5234)
- This statement is factually wrong
For each of the three measurement periods, effectiveness ratings for sustainable irrigation are higher than the corresponding ratings for organic methods.
✓ Correct
- Accurately describes that in every measurement period, sustainable irrigation ratings exceed organic method ratings
- Spring: \(0.7891 \gt 0.5234\), Summer: \(0.8234 \gt 0.4876\), Annual: \(0.8063 \gt 0.5055\)
- This consistent pattern directly supports the researchers' conclusion
For each of the three measurements, the effectiveness rating for organic methods is below \(0.6\) while the effectiveness rating for sustainable irrigation is above \(0.7\).
✗ Incorrect
- Describes specific threshold patterns but focuses on absolute values rather than the comparative relationship the question asks about