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Information and IdeasVery hardInference from a natural experiment

Information and Ideas practice question

Two identical fields were sown with the same wheat. One was sprayed against aphids in May; the other was not. Both yielded the same weight of grain. Aphid counts in June were high in the unsprayed field and near zero in the sprayed one. The most reasonable interpretation is that ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. the spray controlled the aphids, but aphids at that level did not reduce the yield, so spraying gained nothing.Correct
  2. B. the spray did not affect the aphids.
  3. C. aphids increased the yield.
  4. D. the fields were sown with different wheat.

Answer: A. the spray controlled the aphids, but aphids at that level did not reduce the yield, so spraying gained nothing.

The spray worked on the aphids but the yield was the same: aphids at those levels didn't matter.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. the spray did not affect the aphids.
Counts were near zero in the sprayed field.
C. aphids increased the yield.
The yields were equal, not higher with aphids.
D. the fields were sown with different wheat.
The text says the same wheat.

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