Real Estate Agent: Next year, <b> the occupancy rate for residential rental properties in Riverton will increase despite projections of decreasing population in the city. </b> Generally, when a city's population decreases, so does the occupancy rate for residential rental properties. However, <b> in the continuing climate of increasing interest rates on home mortgages, an unusually large number of Riverton residents who would typically buy homes will opt to rent instead. </b> The boldfaced statements in the argument above play which of the following roles? ['The first describes a pattern of cause and effect; the second describes a situation for which this pattern will not hold.', "The first is a conclusion drawn by the agent; the second is evidence that weighs against the agent's conclusion.", "The first is a consideration that weighs against the agent's prediction; the second is that prediction.", "The first is the agent's prediction; the second is reasoning offered in support of this prediction."]