Reading Comprehension

Throughout their histories, feminism and organized labor, both of which took hold as major social movements during the rise of progressivism at the turn of the twentieth century, have shared common concerns and objectives. Some of the most militant and high-profile leaders of the early U.S. labor movement were women, and early women's rights groups often worked in conjunction with trade unions to campaign for a variety of issues affecting women workers, such as pay equity, child care, and improved working conditions. The relationship between labor and women's rights groups, however, was not always cooperative. To feminist labor activists, the interests of women and workers were inherently intertwined, but, as a number of recent labor historians have observed, many early trade unions did not share this view. Some unions made a concerted effort not only to exclude women from membership but also to keep them out of the workforce altogether. Many male union leaders saw the growing number of women who worked outside the home as competition, flooding the market and taking men's jobs. Women were often seen as unskilled labor driving down wages, or as potential strike breakers. Yet, rather than harming the cause of labor, female-dominated unions staged some of the largest and most effective strikes of the early 1900s. Although a large portion of female workers were unskilled, the sweatshop conditions many such workers faced may have provided them with a greater incentive to act aggressively on behalf of their unions.

The passage suggests that which of the following was a reason for the difference of opinion between many male union leaders and feminist labor activists?


Activists' belief that joining the public workforce was preferable to working in the home

Activists' belief that labor reforms should address pay equity but not working conditions

Male union leaders' resentment of the feminist activists' attempts to usurp jobs traditionally held by men

Male union leaders' belief that working conditions in sweatshops were inhumane

Male union leaders' belief that female workers posed a threat to the interests of organized labor




OA E

You have already provided the right answer, the answer being E.

This is clear from this part of the passage:

"To feminist labor activists, the interests of women and workers were inherently intertwined, but, as a number of recent labor historians have observed, many early trade unions did not share this view. Some unions made a concerted effort not only to exclude women from membership but also to keep them out of the workforce altogether. Many male union leaders saw the growing number of women who worked outside the home as competition, flooding the market and taking men's jobs. Women were often seen as unskilled labor driving down wages, or as potential strike breakers. Yet, rather than harming the cause of labor, female-dominated unions staged some of the largest and most effective strikes of the early 1900s".

Hope this is what you were looking for.

Best of luck with your GMAT!!

This is a suggest 'type' question. I don't see why "C" can't be correct. Maybe an expert can comment?