Last year the rate of inflation was 1. 2 percent, but during the current year it has been 4 percent. We can conclude that inflation is on an upward trend and the rate will be still higher next year. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion above?
A: The 1. 2 percent rate of inflation last year represented a 10-year low.
B: The inflation figures were computed on the basis of a representative sample of economic data rather than all the available data.
C: Increases in the pay of some workers are tied to the level of inflation, and at an inflation rate of 4 percent or above, these pay raises constitute a force causing further inflation.
D: Last year a dip in oil prices brought inflation temporarily below its recent stable annual level of 4 percent.
Choose A, B, C or D as your solution.
D