Q9 - Over the past twenty-five

[jas770]

Using process of elimination, I can see how E must be correct (since the other answer choices are so, so bad!), but I am having trouble conceptualizing the material. Could someone explain how E relates back to the premises?

Thanks!!

[bbirdwell]

Sure.

First, let's summarize the facts:

1a. Over past 25 yrs, tech has reduced avg time worker needs to output something
1b. this could reduce # hrs worked and increase leisure time

2. BUT leisure time has increased at only HALF the rate that avg output has grown

Now, before we go to the choices, let's take a moment to see if we can put these together to form any "obvious" inferences.

It now takes workers less time to make things than it did 25 yrs ago, but their leisure time has not increased proportionately.

Make things much faster + just a little extra time off = making more things!

This is what (E) says.

You can even plug in numbers if you're "mathy." 25 yrs ago a worker worked 50 hrs a week and made 10 things (5 hrs/thing). Now a worker can make the same thing in 2.5 hrs. So, according to the argument, one would think that the worker would now work only 25 hours a week and keep spitting out his 10 things, but this is not the case. He's working 40 hrs a week. With the new rate of making things, and only a little less time working, he's now making 16 things a week.

(I'm not recommending you do this on the test.)