Critical Reasoning

Chief Economist: Usually, the release of economic data about higher-than-expected growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) results in an increase in stock prices. However, this quarter, the release of data about strong GDP growth is most likely to result in a decrease rather than an increase in stock prices. Robust GDP growth will lead to higher interest rates, increasing the attractiveness of bonds and causing a shift of capital from equity to debt securities. In the above argument, the statements in boldface play which of the following roles?


A. The first acknowledges a consideration against the main conclusion of the chief economist; the second is that conclusion.

B. The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the chief economist predicts will not hold in the case at issue; the second offers a consideration in support of that prediction.

C. The first is a generalization that the chief economist accepts as true; the second is a consequence that follows from that generalization.

D. The first is evidence that the chief economist provides in support of a certain prediction; the second is that prediction.

E. The first is a pattern of cause and effect that the chief economist predicts will be repeated in the case at issue; the second acknowledges a circumstance in which that pattern would not hold.