Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

Between 1995 and 2000, the minimum wage in Laconia increased by 15 percent. However, even though all Laconian minimum-wage workers were subject to the increase, and inflation during this period was less than 3 percent, most Laconians who worked for minimum wage during this period were no more comfortable in 2000 than they were in 1995, primarily because_______.


(A)between 1995 and 2000 the number of Laconians working for minimum wage had been constantly increasing.

(B)during this time, most Laconian minimum-wage workers had no other source of income.

(C)between 1995 and 2000, most products consumed by Laconians working for minimum wage increased in price by 5 percent.

(D)Laconian minimum-wage workers did not have to pay any property or income taxes in 1995, a situation which had changed by 2000.

(E)most elderly people in Laconia received insignificant benefit, which was not sufficient to make a living, and their children who often worked for minimum wage had to support them financially.

Between 1995 and 2000, the minimum wage in Laconia increased by 15 percent. However, even though all Laconian minimum-wage workers were subject to the increase, and inflation during this period was less than 3 percent, most Laconians who worked for minimum wage during this period were no more comfortable in 2000 than they were in 1995, primarily because_______.


(A)between 1995 and 2000 the number of Laconians working for minimum wage had been constantly increasing. Does not impact the argument, the argument clearly says that minimum wage increased by 15 percent so it is an average increase, also we are concerned with the existing minimum wage workers, not the new ones

(B)during this time, most Laconian minimum-wage workers had no other source of income. So what does the argument tell us that they had other sources of income earlier ? No

(C)between 1995 and 2000, most products consumed by Laconians working for minimum wage increased in price by 5 percent. Again it is given in the argument that inflation increased by 3 percent, even if we consider this to be the true (which can occur because the inflation was average inflation of a lot of products and this is concerned with the most used products ), It still does not prove how it affects the argument because the income did increase by 15 percent.

(D)Laconian minimum-wage workers did not have to pay any property or income taxes in 1995, a situation which had changed by 2000. This is correct because it shows the contrast between the two period by introducing income and property tax into picture, which did not exist earlier.

(E)most elderly people in Laconia received insignificant benefit, which was not sufficient to make a living, and their children who often worked for minimum wage had to support them financially. Out of scope. where does it say that the benefits were provided earlier but are not provided now
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--It's one thing to get defeated, but another to accept it.

Wages Increased + Inflation (Low) = Workers not happy

The reason may be something such that their expensses (Somewhere) increased considerable, the same has been pointed out in option (D), increase in Property tax will lead to less disposable income, hence correct Answer must be (D).
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Thanks and Regards

Abhishek....

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