Logical Reasoning

PT129 · S1 · Q22 Economist: Real wages in this country

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Economist: Real wages in this country will increase significantly only if productivity increases notably.

Evidence

Real wages in this country will increase significantly only if productivity increases notably.

This country's businesses are currently investing very little in new technology and this pattern is likely to continue for at least several more years.

Conclusion

Thus, it is unlikely that real wages will increase significantly in the near future Evaluate

The argument assumes that if there is little investment in new technology, then productivity does not increase.

22.

Which one of the following, if assumed about the economist's country, allows the economist's conclusion to be properly drawn?

  1. Neither real wages nor productivity

    Out of Scope

    This is about the last several years, while the conclusion is about the near future.

    2% picked this

  2. Real wages will increase notably

    Wrong Trigger

    The statements do not imply that a significant number of workers will acquire the skills necessary to use new technology. So this rule does not apply to the economist’s argument.

    2% picked this

  3. Sooner or later real wages

    Weakens

    This makes the conclusion less likely to be true.

    0% picked this

  4. Correct

    Productivity will not increase if

    Why this is right

    This bridges the gap between a lack of investment and a lack of productivity growth.

    Skill tested: Sufficient Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    85% picked this

  5. The new technology in which

    Too Weak

    Even though current investment is not contributing to an increase in productivity, something else could be. This leaves open the possibility that productivity is increasing.

    10% picked this

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