Soil degradation from intensive farming practices has led to decreased crop yields and increased fertilizer dependency across many agricultural region...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Soil degradation from intensive farming practices has led to decreased crop yields and increased fertilizer dependency across many agricultural regions. When farmland loses its natural fertility through erosion and chemical depletion, farmers often abandon these areas and clear new land for cultivation, contributing to deforestation and habitat loss. Regenerative agriculture techniques, including cover cropping and rotational grazing, help restore soil health by rebuilding organic matter and improving nutrient retention. As soil quality improves through these practices, farmland becomes more productive without requiring additional chemical inputs.
Based on the text, what is one benefit of implementing regenerative agriculture techniques?
They prevent farmers from needing to clear additional land for cultivation.
They eliminate the environmental impact of traditional farming practices.
They restore soil health while reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers.
They increase crop yields immediately without requiring long-term planning.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Soil degradation from intensive farming practices has led to decreased crop yields and increased fertilizer dependency across many agricultural regions." |
|
| "When farmland loses its natural fertility through erosion and chemical depletion, farmers often abandon these areas and clear new land for cultivation, contributing to deforestation and habitat loss." |
|
| "Regenerative agriculture techniques, including cover cropping and rotational grazing, help restore soil health by rebuilding organic matter and improving nutrient retention." |
|
| "As soil quality improves through these practices, farmland becomes more productive without requiring additional chemical inputs." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Regenerative agriculture techniques can solve the problems caused by intensive farming by restoring soil health and reducing chemical dependency.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the problem of soil degradation from intensive farming and its negative effects including deforestation. It then presents regenerative agriculture as a solution that restores soil health leading to more productive farmland without additional chemicals.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Based on our passage analysis, regenerative agriculture techniques provide clear benefits
- The correct answer should mention that these techniques restore soil health which leads to more productive farmland without requiring additional chemical inputs
- This reduces dependency on fertilizers and chemicals
They prevent farmers from needing to clear additional land for cultivation.
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - The passage does not directly state that regenerative agriculture prevents farmers from clearing additional land
They eliminate the environmental impact of traditional farming practices.
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - Claims these techniques eliminate all environmental impact which is too absolute and not supported by the passage
They restore soil health while reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers.
✓ Correct
- Correct - Directly matches what the passage states about restoring soil health and reducing chemical dependency
They increase crop yields immediately without requiring long-term planning.
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - Claims benefits happen immediately which is not mentioned in the passage