PrepTest 109, Section 2, Question 6
Many political economists believe that the soundest indicator(458 more words not shown)
Based on the passage, the(19 more words not shown)
- AA change in(19 more words not shown)
- BThe level of(16 more words not shown)
- CA high per(22 more words not shown)
- DThe welfare of(12 more words not shown)
- EThe use of(13 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
Switch sides: we're being asked about the political economists, not the writer criticizing them. We know they strongly favor GNP as a measure of economic health. The answer may express that preference or their reason for it; we should check what is actually attributed to them.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
This initially adds something more specific than just favoring GNP. Do the economists connect it to human indicators? Yes: the beginning of paragraph 2 says GNP gains ultimately lead to better measures of human welfare. That supports the predicted later improvement in this choice, without requiring an identical percentage change or an exact timetable.
- B
They don't dismiss human conditions as irrelevant. They think improvements in those conditions will follow improvements in GNP. That's a reason to rely on the one measure, not a reason to stop caring about people's lives.
- C
Unequal distribution is part of the writer's criticism, not the economists' defense. And a high average can hide inequality; that doesn't establish that a high average usually indicates it.
- D
They use GNP to measure both residents' welfare and national economic health. Nothing suggests they regard those concerns as unrelated.
- E
This fits the writer's side. These economists defend GNP as the “sole measure,” rather than recommend additional indicators. An idea can fit the overall argument and still belong to the wrong speaker.
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