Walters: Our neighboring country had a much higher percentage increase

Question

Walters: Our neighboring country had a much higher percentage increase in GNP (Gross National Product) over the last ten years than our country did. So, their economic prosperity increased relative to ours.

Kostamo: I disagree. The GNP of our neighbor might have increased by a greater percentage, but the absolute amount of the increase in GNP was certainly greater for our country.

Walters and Kostamo disagree about whether

A. change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country relative to their country is accurately measured by comparing their percentage changes in GNP

B. change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country is more accurately measured in terms relative to their country than in terms relative only to the neighboring country

C. changes in the GNP of the neighboring country should ever be compared to changes in the GNP of their country

D. there were any improvements at all in the economic situation of the neighboring country during the ten years being considered

E. the GNP of the neighboring country increased by a greater percentage over the last decade than did the GNP of their country

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siddhantvarma · Answer

Walter's Claim: Neighbouring Country's  percentage  increase in GNP ↑ => Greater economic prosperity than ours
Kostamo: % ↑ increase w higher for theas neighboring country but  absolute  amount of GNP increase was larger our country

Say Neighbouring country's GNP went from 100 to 150, a 50 point increase and a 50% increase.
Their country's GNP went from 1000 to 1100, a 100 point increase but only a 10% increase.

Walter: 50% > 10% => Economic prosperity was greater for neighbouring country
Kostamo: 100 points > 50 points => Economic prosperity was greater for our country

Thus a disagreement about whether percentage change or absolute change is the better measure of relative economic prosperity between countries.

A. They disagree about whether comparing percentage changes in GNP accurately measures relative change in economic prosperity. This is exactly what they're disagreeing about - Walters says percentage is the right measure, while Kostamo implies absolute values matter more => Exactly what we're looking for, keep

B. This option focuses on measuring the neighboring country's prosperity in isolation vs. in comparison, which isn't what they're debating => Eliminate

C. They don't disagree about whether comparisons should ever be made; they're actively making comparisons => Eliminate

D. Neither disputes that the neighboring country had improvements - Eliminate.

E. They don't disagree about the factual claim that the neighboring country had a higher percentage increase - if anything, Kostamo acknowledges this but argues it's not the relevant measure => Eliminate

The answer is A.

Dereno · Answer

Walter’s mentions the  neighbouring country  has seen an   higher percentage increase   in GNP over the last ten years. So, economic prosperity increased in relative to ours.

First of all, if the base value of both countries were same say 100. And if the neighbouring country has shown a 80% increase could land on 180. But, if our country shows a rise less than 80% we can conclude Walter’s statements were correct.

100 ———-> 80% increase ——-> 180. Absolute value is 80.

100 ————> 75% increase ——-> 175 . Here absolute value is 75.

A terminology saying higher percentage increase, doesn’t connote country A > Country B. The base value coupled with the percentage increase will determine the outcome.

Kostamo disagrees . - saying the percentage increase might not be correct. Since, the base value (100) might not be equal for both countries. My perspective is the absolute value increase is what matters the most,

Country A : $1000 ———- > 50% increase ——>  adds $500 (absolute value)  ——-> $1500.

Neighbouring country $100 ———-> 80% increase ——-> $ 180.  Absolute value is 80.

Even though, there can be multiple permutation and combinations in this case. We stick to the question in place.

let’s look into the options.

A. change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country relative to their country is accurately measured by comparing their percentage changes in GNP.

Walters focuses on the  rate of growth  (percentage increase), where as Kostamo focuses on the  magnitude of growth  (absolute increase). This is where both disagree.

B. change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country is more accurately measured in terms relative to their country than in terms relative only to the neighboring country.

Comparison between which two countries is not the bone of contention. Hence eliminating this option.

C. changes in the GNP of the neighboring country should ever be compared to changes in the GNP of their country

Both are making a comparison. They disagree on the  interpretation  of that comparison, not whether the comparison should be made at all.

D. there were any improvements at all in the economic situation of the neighboring country during the ten years being considered.

This is not the issue of disagreement. Hence out of scope.

E. the GNP of the neighboring country increased by a greater percentage over the last decade than did the GNP of their country

This is a factual statement made by WALTER, and kostamo doesn’t deny it. But, he gives a different perspective to the statement. Hence out of scope.

Correct answer is  OPTION A.

gioguidi · Answer

Walters and Kostamo agree that the neighboring country’s GNP increased by a higher percentage; they dispute which measure gives the proper comparison of economic prosperity.
 • Walters’ position: Because the neighbor’s percentage increase is higher, their economic prosperity increased relative to ours. This implies that he thinks comparing percentage changes is the appropriate measure.
 • Kostamo’s position: Even though the neighbor’s percentage increase was higher, our country’s absolute (dollar) increase in GNP was larger. Thus, he implies that percentage change is not the best or only measure of relative economic prosperity.

They disagree about whether the appropriate way to measure the change in economic prosperity between the two countries is to compare percentage increases of GNP rather than absolute (dollar) increases.

Thus,  the disagreement is captured by answer choice A .

RDM42 · Answer

Walters talks about the percentage change GNP 
Kostamo talks about the absolute value change in GNP 
They disagree on the interpretation of the comparison.

A. change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country relative to their country is accurately measured by comparing their percentage changes in GNP..... Correct...W talks about percentage change and K talks about absolute change. So, they are disagreeing over this

B. change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country is more accurately measured in terms relative to their country than in terms relative only to the neighboring country......This isn't something they are disagreeing over.

C. changes in the GNP of the neighboring country should ever be compared to changes in the GNP of their country...... No

D. there were any improvements at all in the economic situation of the neighboring country during the ten years being considered......Out of Scope

E. the GNP of the neighboring country increased by a greater percentage over the last decade than did the GNP of their country.......Out of Scope

Answer: A

bhargavhhhhhhhh · Answer

Walters compares the percentage increase in GNP of both countries, claiming that the neighboring country’s economic prosperity increased relative to theirs. Kostamo argues that while the percentage increase might be higher for the neighbor, the absolute increase in GNP for their country is greater.

Let's break down the options:

A. Change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country relative to their country is accurately measured by comparing their percentage changes in GNP.
- Walters supports this by comparing percentage changes in GNP. Kostamo disagrees, suggesting absolute values are more important.
- Correct✅.

B. Change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country is more accurately measured in terms relative to their country than in terms relative only to the neighboring country.
- This is not the core of their disagreement. They are arguing about absolute vs. percentage change, not relative measurement.
- Not correct❌.

C. Changes in the GNP of the neighboring country should ever be compared to changes in the GNP of their country.
- They are not disagreeing about whether comparisons should be made, but about how to measure the changes.
- Not correct❌.

D. There were any improvements at all in the economic situation of the neighboring country during the ten years being considered.
- This is not addressed in the conversation. Both agree there was change, just different types of change.
- Not correct❌.

E. The GNP of the neighboring country increased by a greater percentage over the last decade than did the GNP of their country.
- Walters makes this statement, but Kostamo is focused on the absolute GNP increase, not the percentage comparison.
- Not correct❌.

Answer: A (Change in the economic prosperity of the neighboring country relative to their country is accurately measured by comparing their percentage changes in GNP).

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

The best answer is A.

This is a point of contention question. Kostamo states that she disagrees and then gives the reason for her disagreement, which is that there is a difference between a per cent increase and an increase in absolute amount. In other words, if the speaker’s country had a significantly larger GNP than its neighbouring country at the beginning of the time in question, it is plausible that the neighbouring country’s GNP could grow by a much larger percentage but still be much smaller than the speakers’ country.

Walters: Our neighboring country had a much higher percentage increase

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Walters: Our neighboring country had a much higher percentage increase

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