Question

The first sentence in the passage suggests that the "observers" mentioned in line 1 would be most likely to predict which of the following?

• 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.
• E. That the number of workers taking temporary positions would increase as more workers in any given demographic group entered the workforce.

Answer 1

The correct option is A That the number of new temporary positions would decline as fewer workers who preferred temporary employment entered the workforce.

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 re-entering workers, who supposedly prefer such arrangements."- hints that as time goes on these first time or re-entering workers would stop preferring temporary work arrangements. The passage discourages firms from creating temporary work jobs which would remove option B from the context. Product demand is fluctuating and is only favored by employers adapting to it and looking to reduce labor costs. So, even though this creates temporary positions, it would not sustain them. Thus, D is removed from the context. Options C and E do not fit the context. Thus, A is the correct answer here.