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Information and IdeasVery hardInference from a controlled comparison

Information and Ideas practice question

A nursery tested two potting mixes on identical tomato seedlings. Plants in Mix A grew taller, but plants in Mix B produced more fruit. When the nursery repeated the test with the plants given twice as much water, both mixes produced the same height and the same fruit. The most reasonable interpretation is that ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. the two mixes differed mainly in how well they held water, and extra watering removed the difference.Correct
  2. B. Mix A is better than Mix B.
  3. C. Mix B is better than Mix A.
  4. D. watering has no effect on tomatoes.

Answer: A. the two mixes differed mainly in how well they held water, and extra watering removed the difference.

The difference vanished once water was plentiful: water retention was the real variable.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Mix A is better than Mix B.
Each mix won on one measure, and both were equal with more water.
C. Mix B is better than Mix A.
Same objection.
D. watering has no effect on tomatoes.
Watering changed the outcome.

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