Economist: The automobile industry seems to be on the way to recovery ...
The economist's argument is that the automobile industry is on the way to recovery from an earlier slump. The evidence provided is that auto companies are purchasing more equipment and spending more on research and development (R&D) than ever before. This evidence suggests that the companies expect sales to increase in the near future.
Now let's analyze the answer choices:
(A) It is an inference drawn from the premise that the auto companies expect sales to increase in the near future.
This answer choice incorrectly identifies the relationship between the evidence and the premise. The evidence itself is not an inference drawn from the premise; it is the other way around. The evidence supports the premise, not the other way around.
(B) It is an inference drawn from the premise that the automotive industry is recovering.
This answer choice incorrectly identifies the relationship between the evidence and the premise. While the evidence does support the premise that the industry is recovering, the evidence itself does not directly infer the recovery of the industry. The evidence is more specific to the actions of auto companies.
(C) It is the primary evidence from which the argument's conclusion is drawn.
This answer choice correctly identifies the role of the evidence. The economist's argument is based on the fact that auto companies are purchasing more equipment and spending more on R&D. This evidence is the primary support for the conclusion that the industry is on the way to recovery.
(D) Its truth is required in order for the argument's conclusion to be true.
This answer choice incorrectly identifies the role of the evidence. While the truth of the evidence supports the argument's conclusion, it is not explicitly stated that the truth of the evidence is required for the conclusion to be true.
(E) It is the phenomenon that the argument seeks to explain.
This answer choice incorrectly identifies the role of the evidence. The evidence does not seek to explain any particular phenomenon; it is used to support the conclusion that the automobile industry is on the way to recovery.
Based on the analysis, the correct answer is (C) "It is the primary evidence from which the argument's conclusion is drawn."