There are many assumptions in this question but the author is trying to convince us that either existing jobs will not create any new positions OR the new start up companies will not have bigger # positions that previous start ups.

C. This year, the new companies starting up will not provide substantially more jobs per company than did new companies last year.

Lets say last year there were 5 start up companies with 2 positions each so last year we have 10 new jobs.

but this year we have only one start up company that will hire 11 people!

So Correct answer is C, you can also negate this answer and check whether it weakens the conclusion

This year, the new companies starting up will provide substantially more jobs per company than did new companies last year

IMO C

Guys,

Have a clarification....

Why cant we assume B...

Even if the companies that got established last year can increases its number of new jobs for this year, then we can break last year's number of new jobs - right?

The question says that already established companies will not increase its new jobs like the companies established last year..the stimulus does not say anything about companies that established last year....so if the conclusion is that we wont have record new jobs this year, then I can assume that the companies that got established last year will not be increasing its jobs - fair?

I'm going with C. No confidence on my answer. Can anyone tell OA?