Advocates often champion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as the definitive metric of a nation's ascent. A rising GDP, they argue, signals expanding industrial capacity and improved material living standards across the board. However, relying solely on this economic indicator presents a dangerously incomplete picture of societal well-being. Rapid GDP expansion can mask severe underlying disparities; for instance, high national growth figures might coexist with widening income gaps between urban elites and rural poor. Furthermore, an economy driven purely by extraction or unsustainable resource depletion, while boosting short-term revenue, neglects crucial environmental health indices. Therefore, true national progress demands a holistic evaluation that integrates economic metrics with social equity indicators, educational attainment levels, and ecological sustainability goals.

According to the passage, what is the author's primary argument regarding the use of GDP as a measure of national progress?

Question

Advocates often champion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as the definitive metric of a nation's ascent. A rising GDP, they argue, signals expanding industrial capacity and improved material living standards across the board. However, relying solely on this economic indicator presents a dangerously incomplete picture of societal well-being. Rapid GDP expansion can mask severe underlying disparities; for instance, high national growth figures might coexist with widening income gaps between urban elites and rural poor. Furthermore, an economy driven purely by extraction or unsustainable resource depletion, while boosting short-term revenue, neglects crucial environmental health indices. Therefore, true national progress demands a holistic evaluation that integrates economic metrics with social equity indicators, educational attainment levels, and ecological sustainability goals.

According to the passage, what is the author's primary argument regarding the use of GDP as a measure of national progress?

Accepted Answer

While valuable, GDP must be supplemented by social and ecological data to accurately gauge true national advancement.. A is incorrect because the passage suggests GDP is incomplete, not entirely unreliable. B is correct because the author argues that while GDP has value (signaling expansion), it needs supplementation from social and ecological data for a full picture. C is incorrect because the passage explicitly warns against relying *solely* on this indicator. D is incorrect because the passage lists disparity as one concern among several, not the single most critical factor.