Economist: The economy seems to be heading out of recession. Recent figures show that consumers are buying more dur...
CMarrNovember 23, 2019
Why not A? Why E?
Hello. Can someone explain why answer A is incorrect. The way it was written (the question) I seemed to believe that people now buying goods and taking the economy out if a recession translated as a phenomenon. Please help
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First, let's break down the argument given in the passage:
Conclusion: The economy is heading out of a recession. Premise: People are buying more durable goods than before. Premise: People buying more durable goods than before indicates that people expect economic growth in the future.
We are asked to identify the role the claim "consumers are buying more durable goods than before" plays in the argument. Based on our breakdown above, we know it is a premise. It explains why the conclusion is drawn.
(A) "It is the phenomenon that the argument seeks to explain" is incorrect because the argument does not seek to explain people buying more durable goods. Instead, the argument seeks to explain the economy heading out of recession, and it does so by using changes in consumer behavior as proof. Try not to let the word "phenomenon" throw you. For our purposes, it simply means "thing."
(E) "It is the primary evidence from which the argument's conclusion is drawn" is correct. We know that the claim is a premise, and a premise is something that provides evidence and support for the conclusion that is drawn. Therefore, it can be said that this claim is evidence for the argument's conclusion. Moreover, it can be said that it is the primary evidence used because the only other premise (that buying more durable goods than before indicates people expect economic growth in the future) is based off this claim.
Does that make sense? Please let us know if you have any additional questions and best of luck with your studies!
ohanamgtFebruary 18, 2020
Hi Mari,
Can we examine why B is incorrect please?
nicolebetFebruary 20, 2020
Hello,
Can we get a break down of the terms used, for example, "primary evidence" in relation to that acting as a premise vs. evidence?
Why were the questions using the term "inference" incorrect?
