Critical Reasoning

When limitations were in effect on nuclear-arms testing, people tended to save more of their money, but when nuclear-arms testing increased, people tended to spend more of their money. The perceived threat of nuclear catastrophe, therefore, decreases the willingness of people to postpone consumption for the sake of saving money.

The argument above assumes that

(A) the perceived threat of nuclear catastrophe has increased over the years

(B) most people supported the development of nuclear arms

(C) people's perception of the threat of nuclear catastrophe depends on the
amount of nuclear-arms testing being done

(D) the people who saved the most money when nuclear-arms testing was limited were the ones who supported such limitations

(E) there are more consumer goods available when nuclear-arms testing increases

Please explain, instead of just posting answer. Thanks.

(A) the perceived threat of nuclear catastrophe has increased over the years
The argument does not state when the threat was increased or decreased over a due course of time.

(B) most people supported the development of nuclear arms
Out of scope since no relation is given between nuclear threats and support of people towards development of nuclear arms.

(C) people's perception of the threat of nuclear catastrophe depends on the
amount of nuclear-arms testing being done
Yes .. Since limitations gives an idea of amount of testing done and limitations are directly related to the people's spending behaviour.

(D) the people who saved the most money when nuclear-arms testing was limited were the ones who supported such limitations
Same as B

(E) there are more consumer goods available when nuclear-arms testing increases
Out of scope. Nothing given in argument that relates the two entities in this statement.

IMO: C. What is the OA?

Thanks.

IMO C as well...

this is an assumption argument that relies on a word shift. the premise of the argument discusses nuclear testing however the conclusion switches to the different concept of perception of nuclear threat. In this type of argument it is normal to assume that the two mean the same thing but they are clearly different concepts. Thus we need an answer choice that will say that the two things essentially mean the same thing (or that one leads to the other). C is the only answer which does this.