It may seem that no group has been hit harder by the recession than th...
Argument Analysis
Pre-Thinking
Let’s look at the relationship between the two boldface portions, keeping our analysis of the two bold-face portions (as presented in the passage analysis) in mind:
Bold-face portion 1 (BF1): the official unemployment rate for those under age 25 is 16.2%
Bold-face portion 2 (BF2): the government considers only those jobless people unemployed who are actively looking for work
Both BF1 and BF2 are facts. When combined with statements which immediately follow them, they are leading to two different conclusions. Let’s take a look at BF1, BF2 and the statements following them:
BF1 + Next portion of the statement: The official unemployment rate for those under age 25 is 16.2%, more than double the rate for the population as a whole.
BF2 + Next portion of the statement: Since, the government considers only those jobless people unemployed who are actively looking for work, people who stop looking are instead considered “not in the labor force,” even if they prefer to work given the opportunity.
Main conclusion: However, the figures may not provide the correct picture.
Intermediate conclusion: The worst – hit group could be people above 60…
BF 1 and the next portion lead to the conclusion that the young are the worst hit by the recession as they have a much higher unemployment rate than the general population. But this conclusion is disputed by the main conclusion of the argument. The information presented in BF 2 and the adjoining portion support the intermediate conclusion drawn in favour of the main conclusion. BF2 and the connected portion suggest that says that a lot of people (above 60) are not even accounted for in the statistics as they have stopped looking for work. For such people, official unemployment rate won’t reflect their true condition. Hence, declaring that the young are the worst hit by the recession on the basis of official unemployment figures may not be correct.
With this understanding in mind, let’s take a look at the option statements.
Answer Choices
A
The first and second are facts used in order to support a conclusion.
Incorrect
While BF1 and BF2 are both facts, they are not supporting the same conclusion as we saw during the pre-thinking phase.
B
The first is an observation that is challenged by other information in the argument; the second is that information.
Incorrect – Both parts wrong
BF1 is taken as a fact but is not challenged anywhere in the argument. Only an interpretation of BF1 is questioned. BF2 is part of the information that challenges the implication of BF1 and not BF1 itself.
C
The first is a consideration used to challenge the position taken by the author; the second provides an alternative explanation that supports the opinion of the author.
Incorrect – Both parts wrong
BF1 occurs earlier in the statement than the author' opinion. So it wouldn't be accurate to say it challenges the author's opinion. BF2 is part of the reasoning used to support the opinion of the author; however, BF2 doesn't provide any alternate explanation.
D
The first provides certain data whose implications are at issue in the given argument; the second challenges the authenticity of that data.
Incorrect – 2nd part wrong
While BF1 does provide data whose implications are at issue in the argument, BF2 doesn't challenge the authenticity of that data, only the implication of it.
E
The first is used as a basis to infer an implication, the validity of which becomes doubtful in light of the other information presented in the argument; the second is a part of that information.
Correct
BF1 is used as a basis to infer that young are the worst hit by the recession. This implication has been challenged by the information presented by BF2 and the statement immediately after it. Note the use of 'part of that information.'