Inferential Comprehension and Deduction
162 questions
Read the passage below carefully and evaluate the statement that follows.
Passage:
In the dry, rugged highlands of Konso in southern Ethiopia, generations of farmers built an intricate system of stone-walled terraces to trap scarce rainfall and prevent topsoil erosion along steep hillsides. During the late twentieth century, state-sponsored modern agricultural extension programs heavily encouraged replacing these traditional stone bunds with uniform chemical-intensive monoculture. However, the unexpected intensification of erratic weather patterns over the past decade triggered severe landslides and widespread crop failures across the modernized plots, whereas the few remaining terraced farms maintained structural stability and modest yields. Recognizing this resilience, local agricultural cooperatives recently began restoring the neglected stone terraces while reintroducing indigenous drought-hardy sorghum strains. Although initial labor investments for constructing and repairing stone retaining walls are notoriously high, participating households have already recorded lower input costs due to reduced reliance on imported synthetic fertilizers. Moreover, the deep root systems of traditional sorghum cultivars have helped stabilize the terraced soil beds during intense downpours. Consequently, neighboring communities are increasingly abandoning modern monocultural techniques in favor of integrated indigenous soil conservation practices.
Statement:
The resurgence of traditional Konso terracing is primarily driven by its long-term cost-efficiency and ecological adaptability compared to modern monocultural farming.
Read the passage below carefully and answer the question that follows:
In the savanna belt of northern Ghana, women's shea cooperatives have traditionally relied on solar-drying harvested nuts on open concrete mats before mechanical extraction. Recently, unseasonal rainfall during the early harvest months forced several federations to adopt biomass-fueled hot-air dryers. While this technological shift halved processing times and protected the nuts from mould infestation during wet spells, it significantly increased operational costs due to the rising price of sustainably sourced firewood. Surprisingly, premium international cosmetics buyers began offering higher purchase contracts to these specific cooperatives. This commercial advantage arose not from the faster turnaround time, but because the controlled thermal environment of the biomass dryers consistently yielded unfermented kernels with lower free fatty acid levels—a key quality metric for luxury skincare formulations. Consequently, nearby independent processors who lacked capital for mechanical dryers began renting off-peak shift hours from the cooperatives, turning the drying facilities into a vital secondary revenue stream for the women.
Based on the passage, what can be logically inferred about the international cosmetics buyers' decision to offer higher contracts?