A survey taken ten years ago of residents of area L showed that although living conditions were slightly below their country' s average, most residents of L reported general satisfaction with their living conditions. However, this year the same survey found that while living conditions are now about the same as the national average, most residents of L report general dissatisfaction with their living conditions. Which one of the following, if true, would most help to resolve the apparent conflict between the results of the surveys described above? ['Ten years ago the residents of area L were not aware that their living conditions were below the national average.', 'Living conditions in an area generally improve only if residents perceive their situation as somehow in need of improvement.', 'Optimal living conditions were established in the survey by taking into account governmental policies and public demands on three continents.', "Between the times that the two surveys were conducted, the average living conditions in L's country had substantially declined."]