Question

Concept of High Technology Industry - High technology, or simply high-tech, is the latest generation of manufacturing activities. It is best understood as the application of intensive research and development (R and D) efforts leading to the manufacture of products of an advanced scientific and engineering character. Professional (white collar) workers make up a large share of the total workforce. These highly skilled specialists greatly outnumber the actual production (blue collar) workers. Robotics on the assembly line, computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, electronic controls of smelting and refining processes, and the constant development of new chemical and pharmaceutical products are notable examples of a high-tech industry. Neatly spaced, low, modern, dispersed, office-plant-lab buildings rather than massive assembly structures, factories and storage areas mark the high-tech industrial landscape. Planned business parks for high-tech start-ups have become part of regional and local development schemes. High-tech industries which are regionally concentrated, self-sustained and highly specialized are called technopolies. The Silicon Valley near San Francisco and Silicon Forest near Seattle are examples of technopolies.

Which of the following is the latest generation of manufacturing activities?

• A. Eco-tourism
• B. High-tech
• C. Medical tourism
• D. Outsourcing

Hint:

The first sentence of the passage names it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question
The question asks which activity is described as the latest generation of manufacturing. The first line of the passage gives this directly.

Step 2: Key Fact or Approach
The passage begins by saying that high technology, or simply high-tech, is the latest generation of manufacturing activities. We check the four options against it.

Step 3: Check option (A).
Eco-tourism is a form of tourism, which is a service activity. It has nothing to do with manufacturing. This option is wrong.

Step 4: Check option (B).
High-tech is named in the passage as the latest generation of manufacturing activities. It uses intensive research and development to make advanced products. This option is correct.

Step 5: Check option (C).
Medical tourism is a service activity where people travel for treatment. It is not manufacturing. This option is wrong.

Step 6: Check option (D).
Outsourcing means giving some work to an outside agency, usually in the service sector. It is not described as a generation of manufacturing. This option is wrong.

Final Answer:
High-tech is the latest generation of manufacturing activities, which is option number 2. \[ \boxed{\text{Option 2 (High-tech)}} \]