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Information and IdeasHardDetail: what changed the crop yield

Information and Ideas practice question

The farm's wheat yields rose by a third between 2015 and 2020. The farmer had not changed the seed, the fertiliser, or the amount of land under wheat. What he had changed was the timing: on the advice of a neighbour he sowed in October rather than March, so that the crop was established before the spring droughts that had been shrinking his harvests.

According to the text, what change accounted for the higher yields?

  1. A. Sowing the wheat in autumn instead of spring.Correct
  2. B. Using a new variety of seed.
  3. C. Applying more fertiliser.
  4. D. Planting more land with wheat.

Answer: A. Sowing the wheat in autumn instead of spring.

October, not March.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Using a new variety of seed.
The seed was unchanged.
C. Applying more fertiliser.
The fertiliser was unchanged.
D. Planting more land with wheat.
The area was unchanged.

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