Hit by floods, the kharif (summer sown) crops in various parts of the country have been affected. Officials believe that the loss in production of the kharif crops can be recovered in the output of the rabi (winter sown) crops so that the country can achieve its food-grain production target of 291 million tons in the crop year 2019-20 (July - June). They are hopeful that good rains in July-August will help the soil retain moisture for a longer period, helping winter sown crops such as wheat and pulses during the November-February period.
Which of the following statements can be inferred from the given passage?
A. Officials declared that the food-grain production target will be met due to good rains.
B. Officials want the food-grain production target to be met by the November-February period.
C. Officials feel that the food-grain production target cannot be met due to floods.
D. Officials hope that the food-grain production target will be met due to a good rabi produce.
GATE 2020 · General Aptitude · Verbal Reasoning · medium
Answer: D. Officials hope that the food-grain production target will be met due to a good rabi produce.
Identify the passage's main claim and tone: Officials BELIEVE the loss can be recovered via rabi crops and are HOPEFUL about good rains. These are tentative, optimistic statements - not declarations or certainties.
Eliminate incorrect options: A says 'declared' - too strong, the passage uses 'believe'. B says target to be met 'by November-February' - the passage mentions November-February as the growing period, not the target deadline. C says 'cannot be met due to floods' - directly contradicts the passage which says the target CAN be achieved.
Verify option D: D states officials HOPE the food-grain target will be met due to a GOOD RABI PRODUCE. This precisely matches the passage: officials are hopeful (correct tone), and they expect rabi output to recover the deficit (correct mechanism).