Consider the passage: 'While economic diversification away from hydrocarbon revenue is critical, hasty transitions that overlook existing industrial supply chains risk widespread employment dislocation. A measured, phased approach guarantees sustainable long-term prosperity.' What is the author's primary argument?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Economic diversification must proceed deliberately to avoid supply chain disruptions

  1. Step 1: Analyze the thesis sentence: 'A measured, phased approach guarantees sustainable long-term prosperity' balanced against the risk of 'hasty transitions that overlook existing industrial supply chains'.
  2. Step 2: The author advocates for diversification but cautions that pacing and phased integration are vital to prevent negative socio-economic side effects.
Answer
Economic diversification must proceed deliberately to avoid supply chain disruptions.
Why not the others: 'The nation should permanently abandon all diversification efforts to protect current industrial jobs' misinterprets caution as outright opposition to diversification; 'Immediate and complete cessation of hydrocarbon extraction is the only viable economic pathway' directly contradicts the author's warning against hasty transitions; 'Supply chain dislocations are entirely inconsequential in macroeconomic modernization strategies' contradicts the explicit premise.

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