I think the lowest level in two years is the correct form.

Whats wrong with D? Is it grammatically wrong? I thought it was clear and concise.

lowest level in two years - clearly refers to unemployment where as to a two-year low level does not tie it to unemployment if you read the whole sentence.

B T W I find this very awkward

the July decrease in unemployment ??

Does any one find it wrong/awkward?

Could somebody ecplain why E is correct and not D !!!!!!!

Even i want to know why option D is wrong. The only reason i could guess is that the word LOWEST is more meaningful. I'm not sure with this and i opted for D initially.

Someone please explain why D is wrong.

i think the answer to this question depends on the intended meaning of the sentence by the author. the author wants to suggest that the job market is in a continuous improvement phase ("gradual improvement in the job market is continuing"). the author compares this gradual improvement with the continous decrease in the unemployment rate in the last 2yrs.

E scores over D bcoz E says that the unemployment has decreased to its lowest level in past 2 yrs i.e, there is a declining trend going on which indicates a continuing improvement in the job market.

hence IMO E.

hope this helps.


Thanks!

Can somebody explain why C is incorrect.

Buzz wrote:Can somebody explain why C is incorrect.

decrease in unemployement so that it was the lowest
is incorrect.
decrease so that is making it incorrect.

July decrease suggests
means the decrease has already happended
so saying what would be lowest in incorrect
so C is also out


D:
decrease to a two year low level
this incorrectly means... to a two year old level which was low

we want to point to the lowest level of two years
it can be anywhere during last 2 years....

Hope it helps.....