Text 1Mycoprotein is a fungal biomass that can be eaten as an alternative to meat. Studies of the environmental impact...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Mycoprotein is a fungal biomass that can be eaten as an alternative to meat. Studies of the environmental impact of its manufacture generally agree it is lower than that of beef and closer to that of chicken or pork. But the expense of producing mycoprotein restricts its availability to a few countries with postindustrial economies. Knowing that cost reductions would expand access to mycoprotein, biochemists are exploring solutions, such as a cheaper substrate to feed the mycoprotein as it grows.
Text 2
Cattle farming is a principal cause of global deforestation, and a study by Florian Humpenöder and his colleagues found that replacing 20% of beef consumption worldwide with consumption of mycoprotein would cut deforestation by half if accomplished over the next thirty years. However, this would likely involve only a small change in agricultural water consumption, since water once dedicated to raising cattle would be diverted to raising crops instead.
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 1 most likely respond to the study findings mentioned in Text 2?
By emphasizing that since agricultural water consumption would remain static in the event of replacing beef consumption with mycoprotein consumption, an effort must be made to substitute mycoprotein for chicken and pork in diets as well
By asserting that the development of a more inexpensive substrate for mycoprotein production would contribute to the goal of decreasing worldwide deforestation over time
By noting that most people would be more likely to use mycoprotein as a substitute for chicken or pork in their diets than as a substitute for beef
By pointing out that some countries are responsible for greater deforestation than others and thus, to have any significant effect on the environment, will have to replace more than 20% of their beef consumption with mycoprotein
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Mycoprotein is a fungal biomass that can be eaten as an alternative to meat." |
|
| "Studies of the environmental impact of its manufacture generally agree it is lower than that of beef and closer to that of chicken or pork." |
|
| "But the expense of producing mycoprotein restricts its availability to a few countries with postindustrial economies." |
|
| "Knowing that cost reductions would expand access to mycoprotein, biochemists are exploring solutions, such as a cheaper substrate to feed the mycoprotein as it grows." |
|
| "Cattle farming is a principal cause of global deforestation," |
|
| "and a study by Florian Humpenoder and his colleagues found that replacing 20% of beef consumption worldwide with consumption of mycoprotein would cut deforestation by half if accomplished over the next thirty years." |
|
| "However, this would likely involve only a small change in agricultural water consumption, since water once dedicated to raising cattle would be diverted to raising crops instead." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Text 1 explains mycoprotein's environmental advantages but emphasizes cost barriers limiting its availability, while Text 2 demonstrates significant environmental benefits possible from beef replacement with mycoprotein.
Argument Flow: Text 1 establishes mycoprotein as environmentally beneficial but expensive and geographically limited, then introduces cost-reduction research. Text 2 quantifies the environmental potential (deforestation reduction) while noting water consumption limitations.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? How the author of Text 1 would most likely respond to the study findings mentioned in Text 2.
What type of answer do we need? A response that reflects Text 1's perspective and priorities when considering Text 2's research findings.
Any limiting keywords? "most likely" suggests we need the response that best aligns with Text 1's main concerns and focus areas.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Text 1's author focuses heavily on the cost barrier - mycoprotein is expensive and only available to wealthy countries, but researchers are working on solutions like cheaper substrates to expand access
- When considering Text 2's finding that replacing beef with mycoprotein could significantly reduce deforestation, Text 1's author would likely connect this environmental benefit back to their main concern: the need to make mycoprotein more affordable and accessible
- The right answer should connect Text 1's focus on cost reduction and accessibility to Text 2's environmental findings
By emphasizing that since agricultural water consumption would remain static in the event of replacing beef consumption with mycoprotein consumption, an effort must be made to substitute mycoprotein for chicken and pork in diets as well
- This focuses on water consumption and suggests substituting mycoprotein for chicken/pork as well
- Text 1's author doesn't emphasize water issues and already notes mycoprotein's impact is "closer to that of chicken or pork," suggesting less urgency for those substitutions
- Misses Text 1's main concern about cost and accessibility
By asserting that the development of a more inexpensive substrate for mycoprotein production would contribute to the goal of decreasing worldwide deforestation over time
- Directly connects Text 1's focus on developing cheaper substrate (mentioned in the last sentence) to Text 2's finding about deforestation reduction
- Perfectly aligns with Text 1's perspective that cost reduction would "expand access to mycoprotein"
- Shows how solving Text 1's identified problem (cost) would help achieve Text 2's environmental goal
By noting that most people would be more likely to use mycoprotein as a substitute for chicken or pork in their diets than as a substitute for beef
- Text 1 doesn't discuss consumer preferences between different meat types
- Focuses on likelihood of dietary substitution rather than Text 1's main concerns about production costs and availability
By pointing out that some countries are responsible for greater deforestation than others and thus, to have any significant effect on the environment, will have to replace more than 20% of their beef consumption with mycoprotein
- Text 1 doesn't discuss variations between countries in terms of consumption or environmental responsibility
- While it mentions availability being limited to "postindustrial economies," it doesn't suggest some countries need to replace more beef than others