Question

A charity group wants to give away insect-resistant corn seeds to farmers in poor countries. One of the main insects that harms corn crops in these countries is the corn rootworm.

To decide which type of corn to give away, the charity group tests 4 types of corn to see which one the corn rootworms like least.

Data from Rootworm Test

Corn Sample
Name Plant Height
(in feet) Attacked by
Rootworm? Ear Length
(in inches) Pounds per
acre
A 7 yes 8 650
B 4 no 4 2400
C 6 yes 5 1260
D 5 yes 7 450


Some of the farmers receiving the seeds want to grow the corn with the biggest ears because they think this corn will produce the most food per acre. Other farmers think that the tallest plants will produce the most food per acre.

Based on the group's research, which type of corn resists the corn rootworm best and therefore produces the most corn per acre?
A.
Sample B
B.
Sample A
C.
Sample C
D.
Sample D

Answer 1

Sample B

Explanation:

When people put time, money, or effort into reaching a goal, such as helping feed people in poor countries, they need scientific evidence to help make decisions. This is because the solution that seems right might not actually be the best one once all the evidence is studied.

While it seemed that the tallest plants or the plants with the largest ears would produce more corn, the scientific evidence showed that this was not true, at least when the corn was attacked by the corn rootworm.

The charity group's research shows that Sample B resists the corn rootworm best and therefore produces the most corn per acre.

Answer 2

Sample B

Step-by-step explanation:

The rootworms don't attack it