In the country of Genosha, the quantity of rice produced per year is currently just enough to satisfy the internal domestic demand. Genosha’s total rice acreage will not be expanded in the near future nor will the rice yields per acre increase appreciably. Genosha’s population, however, will be increasing significantly for years to come according to the recent census report. Clearly, therefore, Genosha will soon have to begin importing rice. Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? 

In the country of Genosha, the quantity of rice produced per year is currently just enough to satisfy the internal domestic demand. Genosha’s total rice acreage will not be expanded in the near future nor will the rice yields per acre increase appreciably. Genosha’s population, however, will be increasing significantly for years to come according to the recent census report. Clearly, therefore, Genosha will soon have to begin importing rice. 

Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? 

1. No pronounced trend of decreasing per capita demand for rice is imminent in Genosha. 
2. Not all of the acreage in Genosha currently planted with rice is well suited to the cultivation of rice. 
3. None of the strains of rice grown in Genosha are exceptionally high-yielding. 
4. There are no populated regions in Genosha in which the population will not increase. 
5. There are no major crops other than rice for which domestic production and domestic demand are currently in balance in Genosha.

OA: A

Explanation: The conclusion of the argument is that Genosha will have to start importing rice with the increasing population because the acreage will not increase nor will the yield increase. Hence, the assumption is that the current demand will continue to remain constant. We will need to find an answer choice that says this. 

A – Per capita demand means the average demand per person. The only by which the import should increase as per the given conditions of the argument is when this remains constant or doesn’t decrease. Hence, this is the right answer. 

B – We do not know how much of the acreage is planted with rice. If this was the case, the original argument also doesn’t hold good. Hence, eliminated.  

C – Some of the strains could be high yielding but the assumption is that with the existing acreage the import must be done. Hence, eliminated. 

D – Population increasing or decreasing does not validate the fact that import must happen. Hence, eliminated. 

E – We are not worried about other crops. Hence, eliminated. 

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