Question

Difficulty: EasyInferential Comprehension and Deduction

Read the passage below carefully and evaluate the statement that follows:

In the SAVA region of northeastern Madagascar, vanilla smallholders have traditionally relied on natural forest canopies to shelter sensitive vanilla vines from intense tropical sun. However, erratic rainfall patterns and severe cyclones in recent years have frequently defoliated host trees, leaving cash crops exposed to heat stress. In response, local agricultural cooperatives introduced shade-net structures made of breathable synthetic mesh. These nets regulate light intensity and conserve soil moisture during unseasonal dry spells. While erecting these structures requires an initial capital outlay that many smallholders cannot easily afford without micro-loans, farmers who adopted the nets recorded significantly lower crop losses during the last drought cycle. Additionally, the controlled microclimate reduced the incidence of fungal rot, a major cause of crop failure. Consequently, microfinance institutions in the region have begun tying agricultural loans directly to the installation of protective shade technology.

Statement: Microfinance institutions prioritize funding farmers who use shade-net structures because these nets mitigate agricultural risk and reduce crop failure.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. The claim is logically supported by the passage, which links reduced crop loss and rot prevention from shade-net usage directly to the decisions of microfinance institutions.
The conclusion is logically valid. The passage details how shade-net structures shield crops from heat stress, conserve soil moisture, and curb fungal rot, leading directly to lower crop failure rates. The text notes that as a direct consequence, microfinance lenders began tying loans to this technology to protect their investments.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key premise in the statement.
The statement asserts that financial institutions favor funding shade-net technology due to its ability to lower farming risks.
Establishing the core claim of the true/false statement is necessary before searching for evidence in the text.
2
Synthesize textual evidence regarding shade nets and microfinance.
The passage states that shade nets reduce crop losses during droughts, decrease fungal rot, and lead microfinance institutions to tie loans directly to their installation.
Drawing a logical deduction requires connecting the benefits of the technology to the institution's funding policy.
3
Evaluate the validity of the statement.
The statement accurately reflects the logical relationship established in the text.
Since the evidence directly supports the inference, the statement is true.

Key Concept

Inferential Comprehension and Deduction
Rate this question