Critical Reasoning

Last year a record number of new manufacturing jobs were created. Will this year bring another record? Well, a
new manufacturing job is created either within an existing company or by the start-up of a new company. Within
existing firms, new jobs have been created this year at well below last year's record pace. At the same time,
there is considerable evidence that the number of new companies starting up will be no higher this year than it
was last year, and surely the new companies starting up this year will create no more jobs per company
than did last year's start-ups. Clearly, it can be concluded that the number of new jobs created this year
will fall short of last year's record.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument;
the second is that main conclusion.

(8) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument;
the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support that main conclusion.

(C) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

(D) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second presents a conclusion that could be drawn
if that objection were allowed to stand.

(E) The first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second
is a claim advanced in support of the main conclusion of the argument.

OA [spoiler](A)[/spoiler]

komal, where are the bold face arguments??

fibbonnaci wrote:komal, where are the bold face arguments??

srry i forgot to make the two sentences bold

komal wrote:Last year a record number of new manufacturing jobs were created. Will this year bring another record? Well, a
new manufacturing job is created either within an existing company or by the start-up of a new company. Within
existing firms, new jobs have been created this year at well below last year's record pace. At the same time,
there is considerable evidence that the number of new companies starting up will be no higher this year than it
was last year, and surely the new companies starting up this year will create no more jobs per company
than did last year's start-ups. Clearly, it can be concluded that the number of new jobs created this year
will fall short of last year's record.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument;
the second is that main conclusion.

(8) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of the argument;
the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support that main conclusion.

(C) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

(D) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second presents a conclusion that could be drawn
if that objection were allowed to stand.

(E) The first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument opposes; the second
is a claim advanced in support of the main conclusion of the argument.

OA [spoiler](A)[/spoiler]

the 1st one is a premises which strengthens the conclusion
the 2nd one is final conclusion
hence only A suits

b) wrng bcoz 2nd is the main conclusion

c)wrng bcoz 1st is the supporting statement

d)wrng bcoz The first is not an objection
e) wrng bcoz The first is not opposing the argument

Are you sure the OA is A?

In my opinion, the official answer is E.

A says 'the second is a claim that argument challenges'.

But the argument says - So clearly, the number of new jobs created this year will fall short of last year's record.

The second BF 'there is no reason to think that the new companies starting up this year will create more jobs per company than did last year's start-ups.'
actually advanced in support of the main conclusion of the argument.

It should be definitely A.

Thanks.

This is straight. A should be the correct answer.

I used 3/2 split. C, D & E all says opposes whereas in argument there is no objection or opposition. So remove these options

B says conclusion in support of main conclusion. Though argument has only one conclusion