Farmer: Because water content is what makes popcorn pop, the kernels must dry at just the right speed to trap the co...

Mehran on March 13, 2017

@ariella this is a Paradox question, so we are looking for a possible explanation to the discrepancy in the stimulus.

What is the discrepancy here?

That the best way to achieve this effect is to have the sun dry the corn while the corn is still in the field but this farmer always drying the ears on a screen in a warm, dry room.

Why isn't this farmer using the best method?

(A) serves as a possible explanation by ruling out the best method of using the sun to dry the corn while the corn is still in the field, i.e. "the region in which the farmer grows popcorn experiences a long, cloudy season that begins shortly before the popcorn in fields would begin to dry."

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Julie-V on July 29, 2019

can you help explain why (C) would be incorrect? Initially I chose that as my answer, but during a blind review I was stuck between (A) and (C). Thanks!

Victoria on August 9, 2019

Hi @Julie-V,

C is close to being correct however it does not explain why the farmer would choose to use a method that is not considered to be the best method for drying their corn and it does not suggest that drying the ears on a screen in a warm, dry room is one of these additional methods that allow the kernels' water content to reach acceptable levels.

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.