PrepTest 116

Incorrect. The scenarios center around the current GNP, not the growth rate, so this answer is out of scope. Believing that you have a higher growth rate doesn't explain why you'd want to have less money.

Incorrect. Neither scenario allows them this possibility, and Scenario 2 actually puts them closer to this goal, so this answer doesn't explain a preference for Scenario 1.

Incorrect. Even if they don't believe that GNP has much of an effect on their lives, it's unclear why they'd then prefer it to be lower than it could otherwise be. It measures something, and more money is generally better than less.

Incorrect. Even so, there's no reason to believe that a lower GNP is better, which is what the respondents are opting for.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
Scenario 1 — Country F is the richest at $100b, with G at $90b
Scenario 2 — Country G is the richest at $120b, with F at $110b
Survey results — Citizens of F would rather be in Scenario 1

Answer Anticipation:
As with all Paradox questions, we should start by clearly defining the paradox. So why is it paradoxical that the survey respondents from Country F would rather be in Scenario 1? Well, as the stimulus points out, they'd be richer in Scenario 2.

That key difference, however, must not be what's driving the reaction. So what else could make people prefer Scenario 1? Another key difference is that the first scenario has Country F winning"—they're the "world economic leader." So it appears as if people in this survey preferred to be richer than other countries than simply richer.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights the preference that would be better met by Scenario 1 than 2—that the people of Country F want to be richer than Country G. That is satisfied in Scenario 1 but not Scenario 2, thus explaining why the citizens would opt for that scenario despite being objectively poorer in it.

Key Takeaway:
When a Paradox question involves a group selecting one option over another, check to identify key differences between them. The explanation for why they went with the option they did is likely tied to one of those differences.