Question

part a
which category from the table best points to one initial cause of the great depression?

• unemployment rate
• dow jones industrial average index
• federal budget surplus/deficit
• total u.s. exports

part b
in which way does the table provide evidence to support the answer to part a?

• by showing how the government began spending far more than it received in taxes each year.
• by showing how nearly a quarter of workers lost their jobs
• by showing how the number of u.s. goods purchased by other countries was reduced by half
• by showing how the stock market crashed before the onset of other financial problems

8
this question has two parts. first, answer part a. then, answer part b.
select u.s. economic data, 1928–1932
this table provides data about the u.s. economy between 1928 and 1932.

year	unemployment rate	dow jones industrial average index	federal budget (surplus/deficit)	total u.s. exports
1929	3%	247	$734	$5,441
1930	9%	172	$738	$4,013
1931	16%	83	-$462	$2,918
1932	24%	59	-$2,735	$2,434

source: national bureau of economic research; u.s. census bureau; u.s. federal reserve

Explanation:

Part A

To determine the initial cause of the Great Depression, we analyze the categories. Unemployment Rate (option with the filled circle) is a key indicator of economic distress. The table shows rising unemployment from 1928 - 1932, which aligns with the Great Depression's labor market impact. Other options: Dow Jones (stock market, effect), Federal Budget (fiscal policy, effect), Exports (trade, effect) are more consequences or later - stage indicators. Unemployment rising early signals labor market collapse, a core initial sign.

We need to find how the table supports Part A's answer (unemployment as a cause). The table's unemployment column (4% in 1928 to 24% in 1932) shows a quarter of workers (24% is near 25%) lost jobs. Option 1: Government spending vs taxes - table has no tax/spending data. Option 3: U.S. goods purchases by other countries - table has exports but not purchase reduction by half. Option 4: Stock market crash - table's Dow Jones drops but not before onset (1929 crash, table has 1928 - 1932, 1929 Dow is 247, 1930 172, so crash is during, not before). Option 2: Unemployment rises from 4% to 24% (nearly a quarter) - matches.

Answer:

The option with "Unemployment Rate" (the one with the filled circle)

Part B