For years, U.S. employers have counted on a steady flow of labor from Mexico willing to accept low-skilled, low paying jobs. These workers, many of whom leave economically depressed villages in the Mexican interior, are often more than willing to work for wages well below both the U.S. minimum wage and the poverty line. However, thanks to a dramatic demographic shift currently taking place in Mexico, the seemingly inexhaustible supply of workers migrating from Mexico to the United States might one day greatly diminish if not cease. Predictions of such a drastic decrease in the number of Mexican immigrants, both legal and illegal, are driven by Mexico’s rapidly diminishing population growth. As a result of a decades-long family planning campaign, most Mexicans are having far fewer children than was the norm a generation ago. The campaign, organized around the slogan that “the small family lives better,” saw the Mexican government establish family-planning clinics and offer free contraception. For nearly three decades, the government’s message concerning population hasn’t wavered. In fact, the Mexican Senate recently voted to extend public school sex education programs to kindergarten. The result of Mexico’s efforts to stem population growth is nothing short of stunning. In 1968, the average Mexican woman had just fewer than seven children; today, the figure is slightly more than two. For two primary reasons, Mexico’s new demographics could greatly impact the number of Mexicans seeking work in the U.S. First, smaller families by their nature limit the pool of potential migrants. Second, the slowing of Mexico’s population growth has fostered hope that Mexico will develop a healthy middle class of people content to make their livelihoods in their home country. Though the former of these factors is all but assured, the growth of a healthy middle class is far from a foregone conclusion. The critical challenge for Mexico is what it does with the next 20 years. Mexico must invest in education, job training, and infrastructure, as well as a social-security system to protect its aging population. If Mexico is willing to step forward and meet this challenge, America may one day wake up to find that, like cheap gasoline, cheap Mexican labor has become a thing of the past. 1 1. With which of the following statements would the author of the passage MOST likely agree? (A) The United States will soon have to replace lost Mexican labor with labor provided by other immigrant groups. (B) It is difficult for a country with a large population to develop a healthy middle class. (C) Many Mexican immigrants who work in the United States believe that they are taken advantage of by American employers. (D) Most rapidly growing countries should institute a family planning campaign to limit population growth. (E) Mexico does not currently have the infrastructure to develop a healthy middle class. 2 2. The author includes the third paragraph of the passage in order to A. illustrate why the number of Mexican immigrants seeking work in the United States is certain to decline B. detail the successes of Mexico’s family planning campaign C. explain why the number of Mexicans seeking work in the United States may not dramatically decrease D. specify the types of infrastructure in which Mexico must invest E. notify American employers that they must soon find alternative sources of labor 3 3. The passage indicates all of the following concerning Mexico’s current demographics EXCEPT: A. Due to the government’s family-planning campaign, Mexico’s population is currently diminishing. B. On average, Mexican women of a generation ago gave birth to more than twice as many children as do Mexican women today. C. Many Mexicans still migrate to the United States in search of work. D. As a result of declining birth rates, Mexico’s population is aging. E. A healthy middle class in Mexico has not yet fully developed. 4 4. Which of the following is most strongly suggested about U.S. employers of Mexican immigrants? A. Most of these employers pay illegal Mexican immigrants less money than they pay legal Mexican immigrants. B. Some of these employers either violate or are exempt from wage laws. C. Without Mexican immigrants, some of these employers would be forced to close their businesses. D. Most of these companies employ Mexican immigrants in order to lower their costs and, therefore, increase their profits. E. The majority of these employers prefer to hire immigrants for low-paying jobs rather than U.S. citizens. 5 5. The passage provides evidence to address (A) how many children, on average, Mexican women have today (B) how a smaller average family size in Mexico would likely impact the number of people who migrate to another country in search of work (C) why the flow of Mexican immigrants to the United States began to diminish (D) the future impact of Mexico’s family planning campaign on the Mexican middle class (E) the extent of the disparity that exists between the wealthy elite and those who live in poverty 6 6. Which of the following can be inferred about Mexico’s family-planning campaign? A. At the beginning of the campaign, Mexico was one of the world’s fastest growing countries. B. Family-planning clinics have been established in both urban and rural areas. C. The information in the campaign is geared solely toward Mexican women. D. Sex education has been offered to children in public schools. E. The slogan “the small family lives better” was used primarily during the early stages of the campaign. Manhattan CAT 6

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guddo

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maioresodit

What is the tone of the passage?
I am confused in negative vs a balanced tone as I can see opinion of the author with some kind of predictions and a strong suggestion about the Mexico.

I'd say the tone is mainly analytical and measured, with a slightly cautionary turn near the end.

Your confusion is coming from the last paragraph. Yes, the author gives an opinion there and says Mexico “must” do certain things. But that does not make the passage negative. A negative tone would sound condemning, hostile, or strongly critical. This passage mostly explains a demographic shift and its possible effects, then ends with a warning that the outcome depends on what Mexico does next.

So the best way to describe it is: balanced/analytical overall, with a mild cautionary note at the end.

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