Policymakers and media have placed the blame for skyrocketing food prices on a variety of factors, including h

Question

Policymakers and media have placed the blame for skyrocketing food prices on a variety of factors, including high fuel prices, bad weather in key food producing countries, and the diversion of land to non- food production. Increased emphasis, however, has been placed on a surge in demand for food from the most populous emerging economics. It seems highly probable that mass consumption in these countries could be well poised to create a food crisis.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. Oil producing countries are one of the reasons for high food prices.
2. If there is a food crisis in the world in the near future, it will be in the emerging economies.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Accepted Answer

The passage states that "high fuel prices" are a factor in skyrocketing food prices, but it does not explicitly assume or state that "oil producing countries" are the reason for these high fuel prices. It's an external inference, not an assumption made within the passage itself.

The passage suggests that "mass consumption in these countries [emerging economies] could be well poised to create a food crisis." This implies that the increased demand from emerging economies *could cause* a food crisis (likely a global one), but it does not state that the food crisis, if it occurs, "will be in" these emerging economies exclusively. A global food crisis would affect many regions, even if emerging economies are identified as a primary driver of the demand leading to it.

Therefore, neither statement is a valid assumption made by the passage.

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 only

Answer

Both 1 and 2

Answer

Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

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