The U.S. economy, still by far the largest in the world, looks certain

Question

The U.S. economy, still by far the largest in the world, looks certain to slow this year. Its housing market slipped last year and the house price boom of recent years is a distant memory. House building has slumped, prices are down everywhere and a lot of newly built homes are standing empty.

Which of the following best completes the passage?

(1) But other parts of the American economy appear to have taken up the slack.
(2) But the housing sector is expected to boom any time now.
(3) But the housing market is not prospering in other nations too.
(4) But housing for all remains a major problem even now for the U.S. Government.
(5) But other parts of the economy are also sluggish.

nishantd88 · Accepted Answer

The fact that each the option starts with 'But' indicates that while surfing through the options we should be looking for a contrast or dilemma or ambiguity to some statement in the question.

(1) But other parts of the American economy appear to have taken up the slack. The argument says that the economy as a whole is certain to slow this year. If other parts of the economy had taken up the slack, that would not have been the case. Hence this statement is not logically in sync with the argument. 
(2) But the housing sector is expected to boom any time now.  Not line with the argument which says that the housing sector isn't doing well and that the economy looks certain to slow this year. 
(3) But the housing market is not prospering in other nations too.  The sector isn't prospering in US. So usage of 'But' in the statement which indicates a similar trend in other countries is incorrect. 
(4) But housing for all remains a major problem even now for the U.S. Government.  This presents a ambiguity because a lot of houses are empty and yet housing for all is a problem. 
(5) But other parts of the economy are also sluggish.  The housing sector itself has slumped. So usage of 'But' before stating that other parts are sluggish is not logical.

abhigulia3006 · Answer

Went with option E. I believe that the sentence should support the main conclusion of the passage, ie, "The US economy looks certain to slow this year." Option E is the best option in that regard. However, if we continue discussing housing as is been done in the preceding sentences, option D is the best option. However, option D touches upon another problem, ie, the present housing state in the US which does not seem to be the main aim of the passage. Thus, I chose option E. Could anyone please comment on where did I go wrong with my analogy.

nishantd88 · Answer

Its the usage of 'But'. But is ALWAYS used to present a contrast or dilemma or ambiguity or inconsistency. Option E sits perfectly with the flow of the argument. However, the usage of 'But' is in such a case is inappropriate.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The U.S. economy, still by far the largest in the world, looks certain

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