Official Explanation

Argument Construction

Which one of the five answer choices given best reconciles the increase in unemployment with the increase in manufacturing employment?

In Alameda, the use of microelectronics in manufacturing increased elevenfold within 11 years. Unemployment in Alameda increased during that period but—contrary to what labor leaders argue—most of the job losses were due to organizational changes. According to the latest official statistics, many more people were employed in manufacturing in Alameda at the end of that period.

One idea to consider is whether manufacturing that involves use of microelectronics in equipment requires employees with a different mix of skills from those traditionally used by employees carrying out manual tasks associated with manufacturing.

A. This choice provides an example of automated manufacturing, but the given information does not specifically mention manufactured products that contain microelectronic components.

B. The given information tells us that the increased unemployment was due to organizational changes. But the additional information here is not a sufficient basis for attributing the increase in unemployment to gaps in training.

C. This simply suggests that there may be some inaccurate data underlying claims about employment trends in manufacturing in Alameda prior to 1979. But the question concerns trends from 1979 to 1990.

D. Correct. This suggests that an influx of new workers to Alameda with the new skills needed in manufacturing may in fact have displaced other employees. These people may still live in Alameda yet be jobless.

E. This information is not sufficient to reconcile the increase in unemployment among those previously employed in manufacturing with the increase in total manufacturing jobs. Retirement of employees from certain types of occupations does not increase unemployment in those occupations.

The correct answer is D.