Question

According to the passage, which of the following is true of the “factors affecting employers” that are mentioned in lines 9-10?

• A. Most experts cite them as having initiated the growth in temporary employment that occurred during the 1980’s.
• B. They may account for the increase in the total number of temporary workers during the 1980’s.
• C. They were less important than demographic change in accounting for the increase of temporary employment during the 1980’s.
• D. They included a sharp increase in the cost of labor during the 1980’s.
• A. It enabled firms to deal with fluctuating product demand far more efficiently than they before the 1980’s.
• B. It increased as a result of increased participation in the workforce by certain demographic groups.
• C. It was discouraged by government-mandated policies.
• D. It increased partly as a result of workers’ reduced ability to control the terms of their employment.
• A. Their jobs frequently led to permanent positions within firms.
• B. They constituted a less demographically diverse group than has been suggested.
• C. They did not necessarily prefer temporary employment to permanent employment.
• D. Their pay declined during the decade in comparison with the pay of permanent employees
• A. That the number of new temporary positions would decline as fewer workers who preferred temporary employment entered the workforce.
• B. That the total number of temporary positions would increase as fewer workers were able to find permanent positions.
• C. That employers would have less control over the terms of workers’ employment as workers increased their bargaining strength.
• D. That more workers would be hired for temporary positions as product demand increased.
• 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.
• A. Getting firms to offer temporary employment primarily to a certain group of people.
• B. Encouraging equitable pay for temporary and permanent employees.
• C. Facilitating the organization of temporary workers by labor unions.
• D. Establishing guidelines on the proportion of temporary workers that firms should employ

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The passage argues that the factors affecting employers, such as fluctuating product demand and reduced bargaining power of workers, may explain the rise in temporary employment, rather than demographic changes in the workforce.

Answer 2

The passage suggests that one of the reasons for the rise in temporary employment was the reduced bargaining strength of workers, which allowed employers more control over the terms of employment.

Answer 3

The passage suggests that workers did not necessarily prefer temporary jobs. Instead, it highlights that the growth in temporary employment is more attributable to employer practices rather than workers’ preferences.

Answer 4

The first sentence suggests that observers believe the rise in temporary employment is due to an increased number of workers who prefer such positions. Thus, they would likely predict a decrease in temporary positions as fewer such workers enter the workforce.

Answer 5

The passage argues that the growth in temporary employment far exceeds what can be explained by the preferences of workers for such jobs, implying that excessive numbers of temporary positions are being created based on factors other than worker demand.

Answer 6

The passage suggests various governmental actions to address the rise of temporary employment, including promoting pay equity, assisting unions, and encouraging firms to offer temporary jobs to those who prefer them. However, it does not suggest establishing guidelines on the proportion of temporary workers firms should employ.