Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given question. China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is one of the largest in the world, reflecting its position as a global economic powerhouse. Currently, China has the second-largest GDP, valued at over $17 trillion, trailing only the United States. This growth has been driven by industrial development, strong exports, and increasing technological innovation. For many years, China's economy was centered on manufacturing, earning it the title "the factory of the world." However, recent trends show a shift towards services and domestic consumption, with e-commerce and technology playing key roles in driving growth. Companies like Alibaba and Huawei highlight this transition. Despite its rapid expansion, China faces challenges such as an ageing population, environmental concerns, and trade tensions with other nations. To address these issues, the government is focusing on green energy, innovation, and infrastructure development. China's GDP growth remains steady, ensuring its influence on the global economy continues to grow. What can be inferred about the shift in China's economy in recent years?

### Concept & Logic This is an Inference based Reading Comprehension question. To find the correct inference, we must look for statements that logically follow from the given facts without jumping to extreme, unsubstantiated conclusions. ### Step-by-Step Solution * **Analyze the passage details**: Paragraph 2 states, "recent trends show a shift towards services and domestic consumption, with e-commerce and technology playing key roles in driving growth." * **Evaluate Option A**: "Completely abandoned" is an extreme generalization. The passage says there is a *shift*, not a total abandonment of manufacturing. * **Evaluate Option B**: This aligns perfectly with the text. A shift towards services implies they are becoming significant growth drivers alongside the existing manufacturing base. * **Evaluate Options C & D**: Both use extreme absolutes ("replaced all other sectors", "stopped contributing") which are not supported by the balanced view presented in the text. * **Evaluate Option E**: This directly contradicts the passage, which says technology and e-commerce are playing "key roles in driving growth." ### Exam Strategy & Shortcut Always be wary of extreme modifier words like "completely", "all", or "stopped" in reading comprehension options. The correct answer in inference questions usually features moderate, balanced language (like "becoming significant drivers"). ### Common Pitfall A common mistake is selecting an option that misinterprets a "shift" as a complete replacement of the old system. Always ground your conclusions strictly in the text provided. ### Final Answer Therefore, the correct answer is **Manufacturing remains important, but services and domestic consumption are becoming significant drivers of growth.**