Question 148·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Because organic farming typically results in lower crop yields than conventional agriculture, it cannot contribute meaningfully to feeding the world’s growing population. Even with improvements in technique, harvests from organic farms remain too small to satisfy global demand, especially in densely populated regions.
Text 2
In a decade-long comparative study spanning three continents, agronomist Priya Deshmukh found that integrating cover crops and compost-based fertilizers into organic systems increased yields to within 5 percent of neighboring conventional farms. Crucially, these gains were achieved while using fewer synthetic inputs and preserving soil health. Deshmukh argues that as techniques continue to mature, organic farms can become a significant component of future food-production strategies.
Based on the texts, how would Deshmukh, the researcher in Text 2, most likely respond to the claim underlined in Text 1?
For cross-text questions, first isolate the key claim in the referenced part of Text 1, then summarize in a few words whether Text 2 supports, softens, or opposes that claim. Next, scan the answer choices and immediately eliminate any that (1) introduce ideas not found in Text 2, or (2) show the wrong relationship (agreement when the texts clearly disagree, or vice versa). Finally, choose the option that best matches both the direction of the relationship (agree/disagree/qualify) and the specific evidence or reasoning provided in Text 2.
Hints
Find the core claim in Text 1
Focus only on the underlined sentence in Text 1. What is it saying about organic farming’s ability to help feed the world?
Decide whether Text 2 agrees or disagrees
Ask yourself: Does Deshmukh’s study make organic farming look weaker, the same, or stronger than what Text 1 describes? Does she think organic farming can or cannot play a meaningful role?
Eliminate answers that add new topics
Check for answer choices that bring in ideas not mentioned in Text 2 (for example, other ways to feed the world) or that clearly show agreement with Text 1 instead of disagreement.
Look for how evidence changes the original claim
Think about how new evidence from a long study might affect the older claim in Text 1. Which answer reflects updating or overturning that original claim based on the new results?
Step-by-step Explanation
Pinpoint the claim in Text 1
Look closely at the underlined sentence in Text 1:
"Because organic farming typically results in lower crop yields than conventional agriculture, it cannot contribute meaningfully to feeding the world’s growing population."
This is a strong, negative claim. It says:
- Organic yields are lower than conventional yields.
- Therefore, organic farming cannot contribute meaningfully to feeding the growing population.
So Text 1 basically dismisses organic farming as not useful in feeding the world.
Summarize Deshmukh’s findings in Text 2
Now read what Text 2 says about Deshmukh’s research:
- A long, comparative study on three continents.
- When organic farms used cover crops and compost-based fertilizers, yields increased to within 5 percent of neighboring conventional farms.
- These gains came while using fewer synthetic inputs and preserving soil health.
- Deshmukh argues that as techniques improve, organic farms can become a significant component of future food-production strategies.
So Text 2 says organic yields can get very close to conventional yields, and organic can be an important part of feeding people in the future.
Compare the positions of the two texts
Now compare the ideas:
- Text 1: Organic farming has too-low yields and cannot contribute meaningfully to feeding the global population.
- Text 2 (Deshmukh): Organic techniques can raise yields to within 5% of conventional farms, and organic can be a significant component of food production.
These positions clearly disagree:
- Deshmukh’s evidence undercuts the idea that organic yields are too small to matter.
- She believes organic can play a meaningful role in feeding people, contrary to Text 1.
So we’re looking for an answer that shows Deshmukh challenging or updating the claim in Text 1 using new evidence about yields.
Match the comparison to the best answer choice
Now test each option against what Text 2 actually says:
- One choice says Deshmukh would argue that the claim in Text 1 is outdated, because new research shows organic yields can approach conventional yields. This exactly matches her finding that organic yields can be within 5% of conventional farms and her belief that organic can be a significant component of future food production.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
She would contend that the claim is outdated, because recent evidence shows organic yields can approach those of conventional farms.