Multiple choice

All of the following are true as per the passage, except:

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

In a ‘back to the basics’ approach, organic farmers use just plant and animal origin additives to boost production of crops and to protect them from pests and insects. One commonly used technique is to use dried leaves of Azadirachta indica for pest control.
Many organic farmers attest to the efficacy of the use of this technique. The dried leaves not only emit a strong smell that discourages pests from coming near to the plant, but also produce pheromones, or plant hormones, that upset the metabolic system of the pests if inhaled by the pests. The traditionally used pesticides, although effective, leave residue that is toxic to both humans and farm animals. Also, these insecticides and pesticides are absorbed by the plant and its fruit, thereby making their way into the human food chain. Even spraying crops meant for dairy animals or for animals reared for meat also results in the toxicity passing onto the end users.
The use of this non-traditional insect killer is not without its controversies. Many researchers believe that though the toxicology of traditional insecticides and pesticides is known, can be contained by controlled spraying, and treated symptomatically, the long term side effects, on humans, of the leaching of the chemicals present in Azadirachta indica into the groundwater, or absorption into the crops, are not known. These researchers believe that just because deleterious after effects of organic farming additives are not known, it cannot be taken to mean that they are not there at all. Also, some scientists have raised concerns about the effect of the phyto-hormones released by this natural pesticide on the plants that it is supposed to protect.

  1. No long term adverse effects of naturally found insecticides have been found.

  2. The harmful side effects of traditional methods of crop protection can be eliminated by need based usage.

  3. Humans, ultimately, are at the receiving end of the toxins disseminated through agriculture.

  4. At least one plant hormone targets the metabolism of plant pests.

  5. A common consensus on the merits of organic farming has proven to be elusive.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect; the passage states that no harmful effects of organic farming are not known, yet. (2) Correct; the passage states that the harmful effects of traditional insecticides can be contained OR treated symptomatically. (3) Incorrect; the passage states, with two example, how humans are at the top of the food chain. Hence, it can be inferred that the humans are at the receiving end of all the toxins spread through agriculture. (4) Incorrect; the passage, citing the example of Azadirachta indica, points out that the phyto-hormones of the plant target metabolic system of the pests. (5) Incorrect; since there is both support and opposition of organic farming, it can be said that a common consensus has proved elusive.

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