Reading Comprehension

Source: OG 12 Ed

(This passage was adapted from an article written in 1992.)

Some observers have attributed the dramatic
growth in temporary employment that occurred in
the United States during the 1980s to increased
participation in the workforce by certain groups,
such as first-time or reentering workers, who
supposedly prefer such arrangements. However,
statistical analyses reveal that demographic
changes in the workforce did not correlate with
variations in the total number of temporary
workers. Instead, these analyses suggest that
factors affecting employers account for the rise
in temporary employment. One factor is product
demand: temporary employment is favored by
employers who are adapting to fluctuating demand
for products while at the same time seeking
to reduce overall labor costs. Another factor
is labor's reduced bargaining strength, which
allows employers more control over the terms of
employment. Given the analyses, which reveal that
growth in temporary employment now far exceeds
the level explainable by recent workforce entry
rates of groups said to prefer temporary jobs, firms
should be discouraged from creating excessive
numbers of temporary positions. Government
policymakers should consider mandating benefit
coverage for temporary employees, promoting pay
equity between temporary and permanent workers,
assisting labor unions in organizing temporary
workers, and encouraging firms to assign temporary
jobs primarily to employees who explicitly indicate
that preference.

In the context of the passage, the word "excessive" (line 23) most closely corresponds to which of the following phrases?

(A) Far more than can be justified by worker preferences
(B) Far more than can be explained by fluctuations in product demand
(C) Far more than can be beneficial to the success of the firms themselves
(D) Far more than can be accounted for by an expanding national economy
(E) Far more than can be attributed to increases in the total number of people in the workforce

OA: A

Can someone explain with logic?

Its clearly mentioned in the line before the line with word excessive

'Given the analysis, which reveal that
growth in temporary employment now far exceeds
the level explainable by recent workforce entry
rates of groups said to prefer temporary jobs'

ans is A

growth in temporary employment far exceeds than workers prefer.

How can be distinguish between A and E?

A could be because it compared with "worker preferences" level.

akhp77 wrote:growth in temporary employment far exceeds than workers prefer.

How can be distinguish between A and E?

A could be because it compared with "worker preferences" level.

Hi Akhil please not these lines and read them patiently and critically:
firms should be discouraged from creating excessive
numbers of temporary positions. Government
policymakers should consider mandating benefit
coverage for temporary employees, promoting pay
equity between temporary and permanent workers,
assisting labor unions in organizing temporary
workers, and encouraging firms to assign temporary
jobs primarily to employees who explicitly indicate
that preference.

Now if we look at the last line of the paragraph mentioned above...jobs primarily to employees who explicitly indicate that preference clearly establishes that rather than getting more people on the workforce we are looking at making workers happier which is again mentioned earlier by forming Labour unions; which are for the benefits of labour and to keep them satisfied.

i hope that helps in clearly the grey clouds.

Preet

How I answered is like this:

The question asks most closely corresponds, hence I read the lines above and below the word " excessive".

As liferocks pointed the lines, it states temp employment exceeded than the levels explainable by workers who preferred temp jobs.

Thanks,
Viju

53. The passage suggests which of the following about the
workers who took temporary jobs during the 1980s?
(A) Their jobs frequently led to permanent positions
within firms.
(B) They constituted a less demographically diverse
group than has been suggested.
(C) They were occasionally involved in actions
organized by labor unions.
(D) Their pay declined during the decade in
comparison with the pay of permanent
employees.
(E) They did not necessarily prefer temporary
employment to permanent employment.


CAN EXPERTS explain deeply why the correct answer is E

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The passage suggests which of the following about the workers who took temporary jobs during the 1980s?

(A) Their jobs frequently led to permanent positions within firms.
(B) They constituted a less demographically diverse group than has been suggested.
(C) They were occasionally involved in actions organized by labor unions.
(D) Their pay declined during the decade in comparison with the pay of permanent employees.
(E) They did not necessarily prefer temporary employment to permanent employment.

Passage says "increased participation in the workforce by certain groups, such as first-time or reentering workers". Do you think "MORE PARTICIPATION from a particular group means less demographic diversity"? If yes, how can B be wrong

bzuhurov wrote:53. The passage suggests which of the following about the
workers who took temporary jobs during the 1980s?
(A) Their jobs frequently led to permanent positions
within firms.
(B) They constituted a less demographically diverse
group than has been suggested.
(C) They were occasionally involved in actions
organized by labor unions.
(D) Their pay declined during the decade in
comparison with the pay of permanent
employees.
(E) They did not necessarily prefer temporary
employment to permanent employment.


CAN EXPERTS explain deeply why the correct answer is E

Hello,

I am having the exact same doubt? Why is it E? I chose B. Thanks for your help.

Best Regards,
Sri