16Hit1600
Craft and StructureHardApplying a general caution to a specific claim

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 Before crediting a training scheme with lower unemployment, economist Mia Halvorsen advises checking what happened to unemployment in comparable places without the scheme. Text 2 The council reports that unemployment in the district fell from 9% to 6% in the two years after its training scheme began, proving the scheme's success.

Based on the texts, how would Halvorsen most likely respond to the council's report?

  1. A. By asking whether unemployment also fell in similar districts that had no scheme.Correct
  2. B. By agreeing that the fall proves the scheme worked.
  3. C. By arguing that the scheme should be cancelled.
  4. D. By denying that unemployment fell.

Answer: A. By asking whether unemployment also fell in similar districts that had no scheme.

Halvorsen's test: compare with places without the scheme.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. By agreeing that the fall proves the scheme worked.
Her caution is precisely against that conclusion.
C. By arguing that the scheme should be cancelled.
Not proposed.
D. By denying that unemployment fell.
The fall is not disputed.

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