LR Problem Set #2, Question 112

[wwarui]

Hello,
LR Problem Set #2, Question 112--What does the stimulus mean? I do not understand why D is the answer. Please help, Wangeci

[Nikki Siclunov]

The argument contains the following 2 premises:

1. The number of unemployed people increased by less than 20% in the last four years;

2. The number of unemployed people increased by more than 20% in the preceding four years (when the opposition party controlled the government).

From this, the author concludes that there are fewer unemployed people today than there were before. This conclusion is clearly flawed. The number of unemployed people still increased over the last four years, just not at the same rate as it did in the preceding four years. In other words, the author is involved in self-contradiction: the premises suggest that there are more unemployed people today than there were before, not less. In other words, the evidence cited provides more support for the denial of the conclusion.

[wwarui]

Hi Nikki,

Sorry, I forgot to respond to this answer. Thanks for your help.