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 fi rms, 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 fi rst is a prediction that, if accurate, would
provide support for the main conclusion of the
argument; the second is that main conclusion.
(B) The fi rst 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 fi rst is an objection that the argument
rejects; the second is the main conclusion of the
argument.
(D) The fi rst 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 fi rst 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

OG answer is A. I see that A and B are nearly identical but contain slightly different working toward the end of the sentence. Can someone please explain in further detail, answer choices A and B? Thanks!