Question:
To improve productivity, manufacturing companies have recently begun restructuring work to produce more goods with fewer assembly-line workers, and the companies have laid off many workers as a consequence. The workers laid off have been those with the least seniority (time on the job), generally the younger workers.
The statements above, if true, most strongly support which of the following as a conclusion?
To improve productivity, manufacturing companies have recently begun restructuring work to produce more goods with fewer assembly-line workers, and the companies have laid off many workers as a consequence. The workers laid off have been those with the least seniority (time on the job), generally the younger workers.
The statements above, if true, most strongly support which of the following as a conclusion?
The statements above, if true, most strongly support which of the following as a conclusion?
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A strong conclusion in this type of question is often a re-statement or combination of the premises, using slightly different words. Avoid conclusions that introduce new ideas or require outside knowledge. The answer should be derivable solely from the text provided.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- The products manufactured by the companies are not undergoing design changes while the manufacturing jobs are being restructured.
- When assembly-line workers have made suggestions for improvements in manufacturing processes, some suggestions have been implemented, but many have not.
- Assembly-line workers now need increased reading and mathematical skills to do their jobs.
- Some of the innovations in assembly-line processes and procedures that were made to increase productivity have instead proved to be counterproductive.
- The manufacturing companies are increasing the average age of their assembly-line workforce while still seeking to increase production.
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a critical reasoning question that asks for the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from a set of premises. We must synthesize the given statements to see what necessarily follows.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Break down the premises and combine them:
- Premise 1: Goal is to "improve productivity" and "increase production."
- Premise 2: Companies are laying off workers.
- Premise 3: The laid-off workers are the "younger workers" with the "least seniority."
The conclusion must be a direct consequence of these facts.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the consequences of the premises. If a company is selectively removing its youngest workers, the average age of the remaining workforce must mathematically increase. The passage also explicitly states that the goal of this entire process is to "improve productivity" and "produce more goods."
- (A), (B), and (C) introduce new information about product design, worker suggestions, and skills, none of which is mentioned in the text. They are not supported conclusions.
- (D) This contradicts the stated purpose of the restructuring, which is to increase productivity. While it's possible for innovations to fail, the premises don't support this conclusion.
- (E) This statement directly combines two points from the passage. The goal is "seeking to increase production" (from the first sentence). The consequence of laying off the youngest workers is "increasing the average age of their assembly-line workforce" (from the last sentence). This is a perfect summary and a strongly supported conclusion.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The provided statements lead directly to the conclusion that the companies are simultaneously raising the average age of their workforce (by laying off younger employees) and pursuing a goal of increased production.
This is a critical reasoning question that asks for the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from a set of premises. We must synthesize the given statements to see what necessarily follows.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Break down the premises and combine them:
- Premise 1: Goal is to "improve productivity" and "increase production."
- Premise 2: Companies are laying off workers.
- Premise 3: The laid-off workers are the "younger workers" with the "least seniority."
The conclusion must be a direct consequence of these facts.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the consequences of the premises. If a company is selectively removing its youngest workers, the average age of the remaining workforce must mathematically increase. The passage also explicitly states that the goal of this entire process is to "improve productivity" and "produce more goods."
- (A), (B), and (C) introduce new information about product design, worker suggestions, and skills, none of which is mentioned in the text. They are not supported conclusions.
- (D) This contradicts the stated purpose of the restructuring, which is to increase productivity. While it's possible for innovations to fail, the premises don't support this conclusion.
- (E) This statement directly combines two points from the passage. The goal is "seeking to increase production" (from the first sentence). The consequence of laying off the youngest workers is "increasing the average age of their assembly-line workforce" (from the last sentence). This is a perfect summary and a strongly supported conclusion.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The provided statements lead directly to the conclusion that the companies are simultaneously raising the average age of their workforce (by laying off younger employees) and pursuing a goal of increased production.
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