ketkoag wrote:In the 1970’s there was an oversupply of college graduates. The oversupply caused the average annual income of college graduates to fall to a level only 18 percent greater than that of workers with only high school diplomas. By the late 1980’s the average annual income of college graduates was 43 percent higher than that of workers with only high school diplomas, even though between the 1970’s and the late 1980’s the supply of college graduates did not decrease.
Which of the following, if true, in the late 1980’s, best reconciles the apparent discrepancy described above?
(A) The economy slowed, thus creating a decreased demand for college graduates.
(B) The quality of high school education improved.
(C) Compared to the 1970’s, a greater number of high schools offered vocational guidance programs for their students.
(D) The proportion of the population with at least a college-level education increased.
(E) There was for the first time in 20 years an oversupply of job seekers with only high school diplomas.


Here, I selected A, but OA is E. Please explain what is the difference between A and E and why E is better than A.

Pranay wrote:

ketkoag wrote:
Why not A?
A states the economy sent off. This would mean that no new college grads/diploma holders are hired and if hired, they would be paid less because of low economy.

Hope, it helps.

Pranay

Please lemme know how slow economy means less pay, coz it might be possible that in this economy the number of people hired is less but the pay is high that means less employees more pay!! Also, it says decreased demand, not no demand of college graduates.
Why i rejected E coz, if E is true then the diploma holders will get more jobs that can increase the annual income of Diploma holders, thus may decrease the percentage of income of college graduates higher than that of workers with only high school diplomas and this does not support the fact that "By the late 1980’s the average annual income of college graduates was 43 percent higher than that of workers with only high school diplomas". please explain if i am not reasonable to select option A.

ketkoag wrote:In the 1970’s there was an oversupply of college graduates. The oversupply caused the average annual income of college graduates to fall to a level only 18 percent greater than that of workers with only high school diplomas. By the late 1980’s the average annual income of college graduates was 43 percent higher than that of workers with only high school diplomas, even though between the 1970’s and the late 1980’s the supply of college graduates did not decrease.
Which of the following, if true, in the late 1980’s, best reconciles the apparent discrepancy described above?
(A) The economy slowed, thus creating a decreased demand for college graduates.
(B) The quality of high school education improved.
(C) Compared to the 1970’s, a greater number of high schools offered vocational guidance programs for their students.
(D) The proportion of the population with at least a college-level education increased.
(E) There was for the first time in 20 years an oversupply of job seekers with only high school diplomas.


Here, I selected A, but OA is E. Please explain what is the difference between A and E and why E is better than A.

ketkoag wrote:In the 1970’s there was an oversupply of college graduates. The oversupply caused the average annual income of college graduates to fall to a level only 18 percent greater than that of workers with only high school diplomas. By the late 1980’s the average annual income of college graduates was 43 percent higher than that of workers with only high school diplomas, even though between the 1970’s and the late 1980’s the supply of college graduates did not decrease.
Which of the following, if true, in the late 1980’s, best reconciles the apparent discrepancy described above?
(A) The economy slowed, thus creating a decreased demand for college graduates.
(B) The quality of high school education improved.
(C) Compared to the 1970’s, a greater number of high schools offered vocational guidance programs for their students.
(D) The proportion of the population with at least a college-level education increased.
(E) There was for the first time in 20 years an oversupply of job seekers with only high school diplomas.


Here, I selected A, but OA is E. Please explain what is the difference between A and E and why E is better than A.