Question

in debates over universal basic income in the united states, opponents often point to alaskas decades - old permanent fund dividend as evidence that no - strings cash dulls peoples motivation to work. yet employment rates there have remained comparable to other states, casting doubt on a long - standing ____ by critics that unconditional payments inevitably erode labor effort.
4 mark for review
which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
a subsidy
b discovery
c concession
d contention

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: "subsidy" refers to financial aid, which doesn't fit the context of a claim by critics.
• Option B: "discovery" implies finding something new, but the critics' idea is a claim, not a discovery.
• Option C: "concession" means giving in, which is not relevant here as critics are making a claim, not conceding.
• Option D: "contention" means a claim or argument. The critics have a long - standing contention that unconditional payments erode labor effort, and the Alaska example casts doubt on this contention.

Answer:

D. contention