PrepTest 121

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Illustration

Stimulus Summary:
Example 1 - During the Industrial Revolution, many unskilled workers were replaced with machines run by a few skilled workers because it made financial sense
Example 2 - Today, managers want to use technology to replace more skilled workers with fewer unskilled workers

Answer Anticipation:
When a question stem asks us to find an answer that illustrates a proposition or principle based on multiple examples, we should start by identifying the element(s) that are similar in those situations.

In both of the provided examples, employers are trying to replace more workers with fewer workers. It's noted in the first example that this was done because it was "economically attractive," and the second example sees more skilled workers being replaced by fewer unskilled workers—fewer workers with fewer skills would also be economically attractive (read: cheaper).

So we should look for an answer stating that those who run businesses look to lower labor costs using new technology.

Answer Explanation:
Very first answer and we get something that matches our anticipation! In both examples from the stimulus, new technology allows employers to reduce labor costs by reducing the number of workers (and sometimes also replacing skilled with unskilled labor at the same time).

Key Takeaway:
When an Illustration question has more than one situation described, look for the similarities between the situations.

Incorrect. The modern example has skilled workers being replaced by unskilled workers, suggesting that more education wasn't competitive there.

Incorrect. The modern example doesn't highlight that the managers are able to replace the skilled workers with unskilled ones, just that they're "looking" to do so. As such, the skilled workers might still be the ones holding these positions, still holding a competitive edge.

Incorrect. There's no indication that the number of jobs created is "just as many" as those lost. In fact, in both situations, fewer workers end up doing the same amount of work.

Incorrect. There's no indication that the example from the Industrial Revolution involves only heavy industry. Even if that example did state that, it doesn't state that it's the only area that was automated. Additionally, the modern example is what managers are "looking" to do, not what they have done, so we can't say it supports a contention about what is actually happening ("now affect all").