Politician: Since my administration entered office, the percentage of people looking for work but unable to find it
has dropped from 7% to 5% of the total number of people either working or looking for work. These statistics
show that my administration's business-friendly policies have helped reduce the level of unemployment among
those willing to work.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the politician's argument relies?
A. The previous administration's worker re-education program had no significant effect on the unemployment
rate.
B. Less than 2% of the population working or willing to work at the start of the politician's term have stopped
working or looking for work.
C. None of the new jobs created during the politician's term went to those who already had jobs.
D. Most of those looking for employment found jobs in the field they were trained in.
E. The politician's business-friendly policies have had a direct affect on the ability of firms to hire more workers.
Answer choice
B, negated:
MORE than 2% of the population working or willing to work at the start of the politician's term have stopped working or looking for work.
Let's examine what the negation of
B implies.
When the politician enters office, 7% can't find work:
Let the number of people willing to work = 1000.
Then the number unable to find work = .07(1000) = 70.
Today, more than 2% have stopped working/looking, 5% of those looking can't find work:
Let the number of people willing to work = 1000.
If 4% have stopped working or looking for work, then the number who have stopped working or looking for work = .04(1000) = 40.
Since 5% of the remaining 960 people are still looking for work but can't find it, the number still looking for work but unable to find it = .05(960) = 48.
Total unemployed = 40+48 = 88.
Thus, the number of people who are unemployed INCREASES from 70 to 88, invalidating the conclusion that the politician's policies have REDUCED unemployment.
Since the negation of
B invalidates the conclusion,
B is the assumption: WHAT MUST BE TRUE for the politician's conclusion to be valid.
The correct answer is
B.
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