industrial economy

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industrial economy

by gmatblood » Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:59 am
A decade ago, the manufacturing industry of Country X could boast a mere 12 factories. Today, 200 factories comprise the manufacturing industry of this small country. Prior to the increase, Country X had an almost entirely agricultural economy and was severely impoverished. Clearly, thanks to the new industrial economy, the citizens of this nation now enjoy many more opportunities for employment.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

(A) Industrial jobs tend to pay higher wages and offer greater opportunity for advancement than do agricultural jobs.
(B) Many more citizens of Country X currently attend school and employment training centers than did in the previous decade.
(C) Each of the new factories, on average, employs half as many workers from Country X as each of the 12 original factories did a decade ago.
(D) The number of factories in Country X is expected to continue to increase for at least another decade as new industries are introduced.
(E) In the previous decade, the minority of citizens of Country X who worked in factories earned wages well above the national median.

[spoiler]IMO:C[/spoiler]
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by sl750 » Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:24 pm
The argument uses correlation to conclude causation
Presence of 200 companies
The countries employment rate has risen
Therefore, these new companies are responsible for the many new job opportunities in Country X

Choice C supports this claim by telling us that each new company employs on average half as many workers than each of the previous 12 companies did earlier. Clearly that indicates a rise in employment