LSAT Explanation PT 19, S2, Q3: In a recession, a decrease in

LSAT Question Stem

The statements above, if true, provide most support for which one of the following conclusions? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Most Strongly Supported (MSS), which means we need to find the conclusion that can be logically derived from the information provided in the passage.

First, let's break down the passage:

1. A decrease in consumer spending during a recession leads to businesses laying off workers or closing.

2. Workers who lose their jobs in a recession usually cannot find new jobs.

3. Recovery from a recession is defined by an increase in consumer spending and an expansion of business activity that creates a need for additional workers.

4. Businesspeople generally have little confidence in the economy after a recession and therefore delay hiring additional workers as long as possible.

Now, let's analyze the answer choices:

a) Recessions are usually caused by a decrease in businesspeople's confidence in the economy.

- The passage does not discuss the causes of recessions, only the effects. This answer choice is incorrect.

b) Governmental intervention is required in order for an economy to recover from a recession.

- The passage does not mention government intervention as a necessary condition for economic recovery. This answer choice is incorrect.

c) Employees of businesses that close during a recession make up the majority of the workers who lose their jobs during that recession.

- The passage does not provide information about the proportion of workers who lose their jobs due to business closures. This answer choice is incorrect.

d) Sometimes recovery from a recession does not promptly result in a decrease in the number of people who are jobless.

- This answer choice is correct. The passage states that businesspeople generally have little confidence in the economy after a recession and delay hiring additional workers as long as possible. This implies that even during a recovery, the number of jobless people may not decrease promptly.

e) Workers who lose their jobs during a recession are likely to get equally good jobs when the economy recovers.

- The passage does not provide information about the quality of jobs that workers may find after a recession. This answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (d): Sometimes recovery from a recession does not promptly result in a decrease in the number of people who are jobless.