When the world-wide economic recession began in December 2007, 60% of the under-25 population was in the labor force, meaning they were either working or looking for work. Today, that figure has fallen to 55%.The decline in the participation rate among the young cannot be fully attributed to the recession. Labor force participation among young people peaked at just under 70% in 1989 and has trended downward ever since, primarily because of rising rates of college attendance. The presence of other factors that have driven the decline in the last few years cannot be discounted. The number of young people saying they're "discouraged" - meaning they aren't looking for jobs because they don't think they can find one - has been trending upwards.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


(A)The first is a general opinion with which the author partially agrees; the second is a fact that supports that opinion.
(B)The first is evidence cited in order to support the main conclusion of the argument; the second presents the author's opinion that also supports the main conclusion.
(C)The first is an opinion that is the main conclusion of the argument; the second provides evidence to support the intermediate conclusion, which in turn supports the main conclusion.
(D)The first is an opinion that is the main position taken by the author; the second is an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion.
(E)The first is an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the main conclusion; the second is an opinion that is the main conclusion of the argument