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Question 1: The author is apparently concerned that adherence to a policy referred to as "the low road" will reduce the competitiveness of:
A. Firms involved in international trade.
B. The United States in particular.
C. Technology-based economies.
D. The less-developed nations.
Discussion
The correct answer is B.
This is a “Reasoning Within the Text” Question. This type of question urges you to integrate different components of the text to respond to the question most efficiently. Here, you must evaluate the author's use of an argument or claim and determine how it helps the author's intentions. In this question, you are asked to determine if the author’s claim is concerned with “the low road” policy, as it will reduce the competitiveness of the answers provided:
A. As can be seen in the first paragraph of the text, “International trade” is mentioned alongside “technological innovations”, “deregulation” and “changes in the nature and structure of work”. However, these factors are regarded as challenges faced that will negatively affect workers and employers when the “low road” approach is utilized. International trade is just ONE of many factors that will be affected, not the ONLY one. Therefore, this is not the correct answer.
B. The author has used two distinct examples in which they mention the United States in particular. Initially, in the third paragraph, the author shows concern for 40% of the United States' workforce that belongs to the “low-road” firms, as they receive no formal training beyond a high school education. The United States is mentioned for the second time in the sixth paragraph and writes: “For the United States to compete in an eventual global economy based on skilled workers and quality products, additional employer investment in training is needed now.” This makes B the most suitable answer.
C. Although technology has been mentioned several times as a positive factor, the author's focus is the United States, where “high-road” firms account for perhaps 20 percent of employees.” This is not the correct answer.
D. Although the competitiveness of less-developed nations could be reduced by adherence to “the low road”, the author's focus is on the international competitiveness of the United States. This is not the correct answer.
Question 2: Which of the following findings is most clearly contrary to the reported influence of the use of computers in the workplace?
A. Office workers can follow computer-generated schedules with less training than they need to devise their own schedules.
B. Executives who correspond with customers by letter generate more business than those who rely on E-mail alone.
C. Workers using nonautomated production processes are more efficient than workers on automated assembly lines.
D. Mechanics who use computerized diagnostic methods earn less than mechanics who use traditional methods.
Discussion
The correct answer is D.
This is a “Reasoning Beyond the Text” question. This question requires you to pick the answer that does not reflect the influence of computers in the workplace as described by the author. The best way to approach this question is through the process of elimination.
A. The author highlights the fact that one's earning power increases with one's technological capabilities, and one can easily gather that creating a schedule is not a complex task that would require high levels of technological superiority. This is not the correct answer.
B. The passage would support that the author’s reference to computers is in regards to the use of computers for complicated and sophisticated tasks. The use of e-mails is not advanced and is not pivotal to an executive's role. This is not the correct answer.
C. In the passage, the author does not make an emphasis on job efficacy. The author mostly focuses on the extent of quality control measures as a result of automating production. This is not the correct answer.
D. “Workers who use computers on the job also earn more than do those of the same education level who do not use computers at work. Moreover, the earning difference increases with the level of technological competence.” D is the correct answer, as it clearly opposes what the author mentions in the passage. Mechanics accomplishing more complex work on computers will earn more money than those using traditional methods.
Question 3: The author can best be viewed as an advocate of:
A. The repeal of regulations that protect dominant firms.
B. An increase in spending on the training of employees.
C. An emphasis on high school vocational education.
D. The use of computers in industrial production.
Discussion
The correct answer is B.
This is a “Reasoning Within the Text” question. This question requires you to deduce knowledge from the passage and determine the most suitable answer. The best approach is to seek the correct answer through the method of elimination, and establish which response would best represent the statement the author advocates for.
A. In the passage the author mentions that certain regulations play a role in why dominant firms have the ability to train and keep their employees. The author did NOT however advocate for their repeal. This is not the correct answer.
B. One of the most pivotal points the author mentioned was the grave importance and desirability of firms investing in their workers. One statement mentions: “workers who receive formal company training command higher wages than do similar workers who attend only vocational school or receive informal on-the-job instruction.” Furthermore, the author also writes: “highly skilled employees who can react quickly to changing technologies and markets.” This clearly shows that the author believes that investing in employees is extremely beneficial and we can be confident the author would advocate for this. This is the most suitable answer.
C. “Workers who receive formal company training command higher wages than do similar workers who attend only vocational school or receive informal on-the-job instruction.” This sentence from the passage shows that high school vocational training is not as beneficial, thus we can safely assume the author may not be opposed to it, but would not advocate for this. This is not the correct answer.
D. Although this answer may appear tempting because of the word “computer”, remember that the author did not discuss computer production specifically in the passage. The passage mostly focuses on the need for a highly skilled workforce and how computer skills enhance the earning power and adaptability of workers. This is not the correct answer.
Question 4: Which of the following situations is most likely to constitute a muddy road, as the author uses the term?
A. Being trained in a skill that qualifies one for only a particular job.
B. Switching to unfamiliar procedures because of technological changes.
C. Returning to college to upgrade one's professional qualifications.
D. Being chronically unemployed because of an inadequate education.
Discussion
The correct answer is A.
This is a “Reasoning Beyond the Text” question which will prompt you to extrapolate concepts from the passage. Based on the passage, find the answer that best suits a situation that resembles the term “muddy road” mentioned by the author.
A. In the text, the author uses “muddy road” to describes workers who receive “some advanced education or job-related training but [are] likely to enter the dynamic high-road labor market…” The author warned of this type of training once again by writing: “Although for a particular job, employer-based training or vocational preparation can substitute for general schooling, specific training degrades rapidly, and narrow skills seldom transfer to new job requirements.” These sentences show fully that being trained in a skill that qualifies one for only a particular job has negative connotations and thusly can be considered a “muddy road”. This is the most suitable response.
B. Switching to unfamiliar procedures due to technological changes can be somewhat advantageous because an individual acquires a new skillset. This would not be considered a “muddy road”. This is not the correct answer.
C. This is a tempting answer as the author states “workers find that their general education, occupational preparation, and access to training on the job are complementary in their effect on earnings.” However, although it is a good approach, this is still considered less effective than formal on-the-job training. This is not the correct answer.
D. Chronic unemployment under any circumstances is unfortunate and undesirable, however, based on the passage, this was not an inference made by the author. So, even though it may be true, it does not apply to the passage. This is not the correct answer.
Question 5: Which of the following practices is most apt to promote the outcome attributed to increased worker involvement in the production process?
A. The workers' use of a computer bulletin board to share tips on quality control.
B. Close monitoring of the productivity of workers by their immediate supervisors.
C. The democratic participation of workers in the hiring of potential co-workers.
D. A profit-sharing program that rewards workers for company successes.
Discussion
The correct answer is A.
This is a “Reasoning Beyond the Text” question that prompts you to apply and derive concepts from the passage. The question asks you to find the best response which supports the practice that will best promote the outcome attributed to increased worker involvement in the production process.
A. When discussing the automated production process, the author mentions “encouraging workers at all stages of their operation to demonstrate expertise and responsibility.” Using a computerized bulletin board to share tips will allow workers to be more involved, thus this practice will increase worker involvement in the production process. This is the most suitable response.
B. Based on the passage, the author encourages workers to display expertise and responsibility. This cannot be achieved by being managed very closely without the room to develop skills and being challenged. This is not the correct answer.
C. Although involving workers in the hiring process of co-workers could be extremely beneficial in many ways, it has no direct correlation to the production process under question. This is not the correct answer.
D. While a profit sharing program may incentivize work ethic and increase the stake workers have in the firm, it is not necessarily linked to giving workers more responsibility or increasing their technological skills in the production process. This is not the correct answer.
Question 6: An employer reasons: "If I train my workers, competitors who save money by not providing training will be able to attract my trained workers with higher salaries than I can pay." What possible solution for this employer would most accord with the author's high road?
A. Support regulatory policies that penalize firms for failing to train workers.
B. Train workers who agree to repay the tuition if they leave within a set time.
C. Concentrate on recruiting workers who have been trained by other firms.
D. Cut costs elsewhere to match the higher wages paid by competitors.
Discussion
The correct answer is B.
This is a “Reasoning Beyond the Text” question which will prompt you to be intuitive and derive concepts from the passage. Considering the tone of the passage and the author's claims, you must find the best solution mentioned in the answer key.
A. Although this appears to be a smart idea, remember, this is a question that requires you to derive concepts from the passage. The author only mentions regulations once in the entire passage and no mention of such policies. This is not the correct answer.
B. The author is sure to highlight the positive factors of training workers. This solution illustrates that workers are able to grow and receive training, but it also provides incentive to remain in the same company, as the workers may likely not want to repay the money. This is not a perfect solution, but it aligns best with the author's message.
C. As you read in the passage, the author encourages firms to train their own workers and would not likely advocate for this solution. This is not the correct answer.
D. The author does not mention cutting costs as a strategy that is effective. The passage encourages a more proactive approach of investing in formal training of workers. This is not the correct answer.
Question 7: The author asserts that to compete later, employers should invest in training now and also that training does not create high-wage jobs. Together, these assertions imply that:
A. Investment in training keeps costs low by providing a large pool of skilled workers.
B. In highly paid work, on-the-job training compensates for educational deficiencies.
C. Training is not effective unless it is supplemented by a comprehensive education.
D. Some highly trained workers may not benefit financially from their training.
Discussion
The correct answer is D.
This is a “Reasoning Within the Text” question. This question requires you to infer knowledge based on the passage and determine which is the most suitable answer. Combining the two statements “employers should invest in training now” and “training does not create high wage jobs” find the implication these statements create together.
A. Although this is a sensible assumption, the author does not discuss a large pool of workers as a benefit to a company and may have no direct correlation with being more competitive. This is not the correct answer.
B. It is clearly stated in the passage “although high-wage, high-skill jobs create a demand for education and training, training does not create high-wage jobs.” The author is therefore implying that on-the-job training is good, but does not compensate for educational deficiencies when there are no existing jobs in the first place. This is not the correct answer.
C. The author actually makes a statement that opposed this point: “although high-wage, high-skill jobs create a demand for education and training, training does not create high-wage jobs.” This does NOT say that training is ineffective unless supplemented by comprehensive education. This is not the correct answer.
D. The author has clearly advocated for the training of workers for high-skilled positions, however, it is also mentioned that not all trained workers will benefit from advanced training. It is stated: “If the investment in workers outpaces the number of good jobs, many very competent workers will face an employment market of many very undemanding jobs.” This is the most suitable answer.
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