NIMCET 2025 Logical Reasoning Question 63 with Solution

Question 63

Logical Reasoning Statement and Conclusions Medium

A research team is studying the effects of three different fertilizers (X, Y, and Z) on the growth of a specific plant species. They have four experimental plots with different fertilizer combinations: - Plot 1: Fertilizer X only - Plot 2: Fertilizer Y only - Plot 3: Fertilizer X and Fertilizer Z only - Plot 4: Fertilizer Y and Fertilizer Z only After a period of observation, they note the following: - Plants in plots with Fertilizer X showed significantly increased height compared to a control group (no fertilizer). - Plants in plots with Fertilizer Y showed a slightly increased leaf area compared to the control group. - Plants in Plot 3 (X and Z) showed no significant difference in height compared to the control group. - Plants in Plot 4 (Y and Z) showed significantly increased height compared to the control group. Based on these observations, which of the following conclusions is best supported?

(A) Fertilizer Z enhances the leaf area increase caused by Fertilizer Y.

(B) Fertilizer X is the only fertilizer that significantly increases the height of this plant species.

(C) Fertilizer Z inhibits the height growth promoted by Fertilizer X.

(D) Fertilizer Z has no effect on the growth of this plant species.

View Dynamic Solution & Explanation ▼

Correct Solution: Option C

Step-by-step Solution:

Analysis of Experimental Results

To find the best-supported conclusion, we need to carefully compare the outcomes of the different fertilizer combinations with each other and with the control group (no fertilizer).

Summary of Observations:

Plot 1 (X only): Height increased significantly.
Plot 2 (Y only): Leaf area increased significantly.
Plot 3 (X and Z): No significant height increase.
Plot 4 (Y and Z): Height increased significantly.

Evaluating Each Conclusion:

A. Fertilizer Z enhances the leaf area increase caused by Fertilizer Y.

The observation for Plot 4 (Y and Z) only mentions an increase in height. It provides no information about leaf area. Therefore, we cannot draw any conclusion about Z's effect on the leaf area increase caused by Y.

B. Fertilizer X is the only fertilizer that significantly increases the height of this plant species.

This is false. The observation from Plot 4 (Y and Z) explicitly states that this combination also resulted in significantly increased height.

C. Fertilizer Z inhibits the height growth promoted by Fertilizer X.

This is a strongly supported conclusion. From Plot 1, we know that Fertilizer X on its own causes a significant increase in height. However, in Plot 3, when Fertilizer Z is added to Fertilizer X, there is no significant height increase. This directly suggests that Z counteracted or inhibited the effect of X.

D. Fertilizer Z has no effect on the growth of this plant species.

This is false. Fertilizer Z is part of the combinations in both Plot 3 and Plot 4, and both plots showed results that were different from the control group and the single-fertilizer plots. It clearly has an effect.

Final Answer

The conclusion that is most directly and best supported by the experimental evidence is that Fertilizer Z inhibits the height growth promoted by Fertilizer X.