Look at this chart showing declines in industrial production during the Great Depression.
| Country | Rate of Decline |
| ------------- | --------------- |
| United States | 46.8 % |
| Great Britain | 16.2 % |
| Germany | 41.8 % |
| France | 31.3 % |
| Sweden | 10.3 % |
Based on these figures, what can one most likely conclude about Sweden?
A. Sweden did not depend on industrial production
B. Sweden's economy was less stable than most.
C. Sweden and Great Britain had similar economies
D. Sweden had a lower unemployment rate than the United States.
Answer (1)
Based on the provided data showing declines in industrial production during the Great Depression, Sweden experienced the smallest decline (10.3%) compared to the United States (46.8%), Great Britain (16.2%), Germany (41.8%), and France (31.3%). Therefore, one can most likely conclude that Sweden did not depend on industrial production as much as the other countries listed.
The final answer is:
Sw e d e n d i d n o t d e p e n d o nin d u s t r ia lp ro d u c t i o n
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a table showing the rate of decline in industrial production during the Great Depression for several countries, including Sweden. We need to determine the most likely conclusion about Sweden based on the provided data.
Comparing Decline Rates Sweden's rate of decline was 10.3%, which is the lowest among the countries listed. The United States had a decline of 46.8%, Great Britain 16.2%, Germany 41.8%, and France 31.3%.
Evaluating Answer Choices Let's evaluate each answer choice:
Sweden did not depend on industrial production: This is a possible conclusion since Sweden had the lowest decline. A smaller decline might indicate less reliance on industrial production compared to other countries.
Sweden's economy was less stable than most: This is unlikely since Sweden's decline was the smallest, suggesting more stability during the depression.
Sweden and Great Britain had similar economies: Their decline rates are somewhat close (10.3% vs 16.2%), but this doesn't necessarily mean their economies were similar in structure or size.
Sweden had a lower unemployment rate than the United States: The data only provides information about the decline in industrial production, not unemployment rates. Therefore, we cannot conclude anything about unemployment rates.
Conclusion Based on the data, the most likely conclusion is that Sweden did not depend on industrial production as much as the other countries listed, since it experienced the smallest decline in industrial production.
Examples
Understanding economic indicators like industrial production decline can help us analyze a country's economic resilience during crises. For example, if you're investing in international stocks, knowing how different countries fared during past economic downturns can inform your investment strategy. A country with a smaller decline in industrial production might be seen as more stable and a safer investment. This type of analysis is also crucial for policymakers when developing strategies to mitigate the impact of economic crises.
