HOT Competition 27 Aug/8PM: Shortage of specialized labour, essential

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.
- A strengthener

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal.
-We are not concerned about the manufacturing of synthetic yarn

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years.
-We are not concerned about the manufacturing of synthetic yarn

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption.
-We are not concerned about the manufacturing of synthetic yarn

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions.
- Right choice. If there is no need to specalised labour then the plan to convert from synthetic to organic cotton yarn is not required by training the labour. And without the need for such labour the price will not remain high for long enough of three years.

Shortage of specialized labour, essential in cotton yarn manufacturing industries has led to a significant decrease in its production, thus increasing its price across the country. On the other hand, the price of synthetic yarn has remained unchanged for quite some time now. Knowing that not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing, and that the labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn than any other labour, many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the plan’s chances for success?


A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.

All it does is strengthen the plan’s success if the remains stable and continue. So option A is wrong.

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal.

We need information about cotton yarn to weaken the plan’s success.Its not mentioned in the option.So option B is wrong.

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years.

Same explanation as in option B. So option C is wrong.

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption.

Same explanation as in B. So option D is wrong.

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions.

Bingo. If there is a yarn manufacturing machine that helps in reducing the need for human intervention, then training costs and salaries for newly trained people will override the revenue or profits which can be fetched with the help of new machine. Hence, it’s a perfect weakened. So option E is correct.

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Definitely as demand for cotton yarn has been stable, manufacturing cotton yarn will not be profitable for synthetic yarn manufacturers.

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Shortage of specialized labour, essential in cotton yarn manufacturing industries has led to a significant decrease in its production, thus increasing its price across the country. On the other hand, the price of synthetic yarn has remained unchanged for quite some time now. Knowing that not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing, and that the labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn than any other labour, many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.

Plan - many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.

Why - the price of synthetic yarn has remained unchanged for quite some time now. Knowing that not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing, and that the labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn than any other labour and Shortage of specialized labour, essential in cotton yarn manufacturing industries has led to a significant decrease in its production, thus increasing its price across the country

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the plan’s chances for success?

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.
Strengthens marginally – by saying demand for cotton yarn will be stable, won’t increase or decrease

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal.
Irrelevant – talks about manufacturing of synthetic yarns whereas we are concerned cotton yarn and its market

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years.
No impact – we are not interested in the demand for synthetic yarn

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption.
No impact -we are not interested in the consumption of synthetic yarn.
E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions.
Weakens – if specialized labor is not required because of the technological advancements we can expect the supply to grow and prices stabilizing or coming down. This might weaken the plan of synthetic yarn manufacturers

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So..here's the gist of the passage:
There's a shortage of labour in cotton yarn industries. This has decreased production. Consequently, the cost of cotton yarn has increased. Synthetic yarn's cost has been the same. To take advantage of high price of the cotton yarn, and to increase their profits, manufacturers of synthetic yarn are planning to shift to cotton yarn as shifting costs as well as labour training doesn't cost much.

Conclusion is that the plan to increase their profits was a success.

Let's look for a weakener.

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.
-- This will actually be a strengthener at best. If the demand is stable, manufacturers can take advantage. A gone

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal.
--We are not concerned with the synthetic yarn. B out

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years.
--Again we are not concerned with the synthetic yarn.Many manufacturers have already made the shift to cotton yarn. C out

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption.
--This is again concerned with the consumption of synthetic yarn. D out

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions.
-- This is a sure shot weakener.If the machine can replace labour, the shortage won't affect the price much and the prices would come down in the future. So, the manufacturers won't be able to take advantage of this.

IMO E

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Answer choice E.

Plan: many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.
Given that:
- not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing
- labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn

We must find a disadvantage to move to cotton yarn industry.

a. This choice supports the plan. If demand is stable, then "synthetic yarn manufacturers" can reap the advantage of high prices.

b. This choice does not affect the conclusion. Does not bring any disadvantage to move to cotton yarn industry.

c. This choice supports the plan. If The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of year, then synthetic yarn manufacturers will be likely to move to cotton yarn manufacturing industries.

d. This choice is also about synthetic yarn consumption. If synthetic yarn consumption is likely to drive down, then synthetic yarn manufacturers will be likely to move to cotton yarn manufacturing industries.

e. Correct. This clearly shows a disadvantage for synthetic yarn manufacturers since their plan is based on labour force. If technology will significantly reduce the need for human interventions, then synthetic yarn manufacturers must invest more to move to cotton yarn manufacturing industries.

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Stimulus: shortage of specialized labor ---> high price for cotton yarn
Not much have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing
Not much have to be borne to retrain the personnel

Target: benefit from high prices for cotton yarn for the next three years

Note that synthetic yarn manufacturers plan this shift and intend to profit a lot because they assume that the shortage of labor will continue for some time, or that the current manufacturers of cotton yard cannot increase their labor force or find the way of replacing the required specialized labor. The correct weakener should indicate to a similar drawback in their plan. With this in mind let’s analyze the answer choices.


A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.

This choice supports the plan rather than weakens it. If demand were going to plunge in the forthcoming years, then for sure such a plan would hardly meet its target. However, this choice, instead, states that there will be a table demand and those who made the shift can benefit for the next couple years. So this choice is out.


B. Specialized labor is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal.

The impact of this choice on the target of manufacturers is vague. The stem already states that transition and re-qualification of the synthetic yarn manufacturers will be relatively easy and less costly, so this choice has nothing to do with the target. Most probably this choice is a trap for students who may fail to differentiate “cotton yarn” from “synthetic yarn” under time pressure. So this choice is out.


C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years.

This may very well serve as strengthener rather than a weakener. Synthetic yarn manufacturers may have more incentive to transfer to the production of cotton yarn. However, still this choice gives no clue as to whether shifters will gain huge profit. Once again, if this choice said that the demand for cotton yard rather than for synthetic one has been on a downward trend, then it may very well be a weakener. So this choice is out.


D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption.

Once again, a trap choice that talks about synthetic yarn rather than cotton one. This choice gives no clue about whether shifters will gain a lot. This choice is suspect because of its too general nature. Usually such choices introduce a universal truth that stands regardless of the stimulus and a examinee may very well be aware of. So this choice is out.


E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions.

Bingo, this choice seems to be the wekener we were looking for. If the current cotton yard manufacturers will be able to supplement the shortage of specialized workers with a yarn manufacturing machine, then they can increase their out, in turn leading to a reduction in prices. Note that the choice says that the machine will significant reduce the need for human labor. So, current manufacturers can automatize their production.
In this case, shifters will not reap huge profits as they intended because, with enough manufacturing power, the price for the cotton yard will be low.


Hence E

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Weaken Question.
Firstly, I will find the premise and the main conclusion.
Premise:
1. Shortage of specialized labour, essential in cotton yarn manufacturing industries has led to a significant decrease in its production, thus increasing its price across the country. >> Because the production of cotton is reduced, the price will drop.
2. On the other hand, the price of synthetic yarn has remained unchanged for quite some time now. >>the stable price of synthetic.
3. Knowing that not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing, and that the labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn than any other labour, many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years. >> The plan is that synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to produce cotton yarn. That is, they can get the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn. (low cost of switching.)

Conclusion: The plan is successful.

My pre-thinking is
1. if there is something reducing the demand for cotton yarn and synthetic yarn, it should weaken the conclusion.

Analysis of the answer choices.


This choice seems to strengthen the conclusion. Out.


Same as A. (strengthen). Out.


Oh, the synthetic yarn manufacturers are very lucky to switch to cotton yarn manufacturing. It's strengthening. Out.


It's tempting but I think it makes no impact on the conclusion. Out.


This choice is more likely to decline the demand for cotton yarn and synthetic yarn. It's weakening. Keep it.

So I choose E.

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Shortage of specialized labour, essential in cotton yarn manufacturing industries has led to a significant decrease in its production, thus increasing its price across the country. On the other hand, the price of synthetic yarn has remained unchanged for quite some time now. Knowing that not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing, and that the labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn than any other labour, many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.

The author’ conclusion is that many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.
The relationship to reach this conclusion:
cotton yarn Shortage of specialized labour --> Reduction in its production --> Increasing its price
synthetic yarn The price has remained unchanged.
Possibilities that synthetic yarn manufacturers plan to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn

• not much extra costs of shifting

• faster to train

Hopes that after shifting, they can gain the profits.


Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the plan’s chances for success?

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue. --> This choice is quite support the synthetic yarn manufacturers' hope that after shifting they still have some profits from cotton yarn trend.

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal. --> If the costs for any extra training are minimal, it actually supports the plan’s chances for success.

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years. --> OUT OF SCOPE. We don't focus on the trend of synthetic yarn.

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption. --> IRRELEVANT. consumption is nothing to do with the production or price in this argument here.

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions. --> CORRECT. If technological advancements are more efficient than human, there will be no need for more labours, leading to shifting plan will be fail.

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IMO E

Argument:
Cotton Yarn:- Shortage of specialized Labour -> Decrease in production -> Increase in Price
Synthetic Yarn:- Price has remained unchange.
For many synthetic yarn manufacturers, shift to cotton yarn manufacturing can be done at not much extra cost & with already existing labour who can be easily trained to produce cotton yarn.

Plan: Synthetic yarn manufacturers switch to manufacturing cotton yarn to reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the plan’s chances for success?

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue. - Incorrect -
This option eliminates a possible weakener. If demand for cotton yarn is going to remain stable, then with higher market price , the total revenue for industries shifting to cotton yarn manufacturing will increase & thereby profit may too increase. Thus the plan to shift would be profitable/successful. This option strengthens the plan success

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal. - Incorrect -
This option presents the type of labour engaged in synthetic yarn, but the type of labour engaged is not related to cash/income generation for the industries shifting to Cotton yarn. So this option doesn't affect the plan success.

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years. - Incorrect -
The demand for synthetic yarn is not related to demand of cotton yarn, which is the issue at hand for the success of industries migrating to Cotton yarn production as per the plan. This option also does't affect the plan's success.

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption. - Incorrect -
Again this option is playing with words, "its" refer to synthetic yarn & the sentence implies-> Increase in Mkt Price induced by manufactures of Synthetic yarn is likely to drive down consumption of Synthetic yarn. But we are concerned with demand/sales of cotton yarn. Synthetic yarn consumption increase/decrease doesn't affect the plan's success of increasing the profitability of synthetic industries switching to cotton yarn manufacturing.

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions. - Incorrect -
This option attacks the main point on which the whole argument is built (i.e labour shortage - Higher price).
-> If new machine significantly reduce the need of human intervention, then problem of labour shortage is addressed, production will revive & price will go down. Now under new condition the synthetic yarn industries shift to cotton yarn manufacturing will not be beneficial as there won't be the incentive of high price to reap the advantage. So profitability isn't going to increase, and the plan will fail.

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The argument makes the conclusion that by shifting to cotton yarn manufacturing synthetic yarn manufacturers can reap the benefit of high prices of cotton yarn increase their profit, at least for the next three years. He draws this conclusion basis the following premises:
i. Production of cotton yarn has decreased , so its price has increased.
ii. The cost to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing is not much.
iii. The labor already working can be trained faster.

But there are some gap in this argument:-
i. What if the demand for cotton yarn goes down due to increased supply?
ii. The price of cotton may not remain high for the next three years, the supply may go up.
iii. It is possible the cost of training the labour so that they can produce cotton may be high.


A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.
This doesn't weaken the argument. It acts as a strengthener by suggesting that the demand will not go down.

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal.
This tells us that the cost of producing synthetic yarn is low. No information about the profit they can earn from cotton yarn. This has no effect on the argument.

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years.
This only tells us that the price of synthetic yarn might go down, decreasing the profit. So its better to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing.

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption.
Again this talks about synthetic yarn, not cotton yarn. Hence has no effect.

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions. - Correct
This suggests that the current low production scenario might not remain, as specialized labours for producing cotton yarn may not be required. So the benefit of shifting to cotton yarn manufacturing may not remain for the next few years.

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IMO E

Argument:-

Shortage of specialized labour, essential in cotton yarn , has led to a significant decrease in its production, thus increasing its price across the country.

The price of synthetic yarn has remained unchanged for quite some time now.

Knowing that not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing and that the labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn than any other labour,

Many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years

As per the Plan mentioned above, let us analyse Options and find a statement which weakens most:-

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.

Incorrect

If Demand is expected to remain stable, than decision to Invest on Manufacturing Cotton Yarn to earn profit is apt. Strengthen the Conclusion

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal. Incorrect . We are not Concerned for Synthetic yarn business to decide for Cotton yarn business.

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years. Incorrect, Lower demand of Synthetic yarn can or cannot have affect on Cotton yarn manufacturing business.

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption. Incorrect .Low Consumption of Synthetic yarn can or cannot have affect on the demand of Cotton yarn.

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions. Correct, Perfectly weakens the Plan, Synthetic yarn manufacturers planned to shift because Cotton yarn requires Specially skilled labourers, which synthetic manufacturers can easily create. But, if technological advance machines reduced Human intervention, then Core Skilled labour issue is resolved

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VeritasKarishma

How E could be the answer?

E states that " Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions."

But it didn't mention which yarn it is talking about? Cotton or Synthetic?
It could be Synthetic which could again strengthen the plan's chances of success.

Shortage of labour in cotton yarn manufacturing has led to lower production and higher prices.
So industries making synthetic yarn are planning to switch to cotton yarn (they already have work force etc).
The expect higher profits for a few years at least.

What will weaken the plan?

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue.

Right now supply is lower than demand. If the demand is expected to be stable, more supply will get absorbed and it is good for the plan.

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal.

We are given that synthetic yarn labour will be trained quickly to work on cotton yarn. What kind of labour is hired for synthetic yarn is irrelevant.

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years.

The plan of synthetic yarn producers sounds even better now.

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption.

This says that synthetic yarn industry cannot raise its price, else consumption will go down. Well, then all the more reasons for them to switch to cotton where prices are higher.

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions.

The yarn manufacturing machine would be useful to all yarn manufacturers - cotton as well as synthetic.
Note that till now the issue the cotton yarn manufacturers had was shortage of labour. It seems now they will not need much labour hence their own production should increase. If that happens, synthetic yarn people joining their industry may not be a good idea since the supply may soon become normal and the profits may evaporate.
Hence, this weakens the plan.

Answer (E)

Understanding the argument - 
­Shortage of specialized labour, essential in cotton yarn manufacturing industries has led to a significant decrease in its production, thus increasing its price across the country. - Fact.
On the other hand, the price of synthetic yarn has remained unchanged for quite some time now. - Fact. 
Knowing that not much extra costs have to be borne to shift to cotton yarn manufacturing, and that the labour force already working in producing synthetic yarn can be trained reasonably faster to produce cotton yarn than any other labour, many synthetic yarn manufacturers have planned to switch to manufacturing cotton yarn so that they can reap the advantage of high prices of cotton yarn to increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years. - Conclusion

Goal - increase their profits significantly, at least for the next three years.
Plan - switch to manufacturing cotton yarn.

Possible weakeners - 
1. What if there is a way to increase the specialized labor supply for cotton yarn manufacturing? 
2. What if there is a technology that reduces the dependence on specialized labor as a constraint? 

Option Elimination - Weakener 

A. The demand for cotton yarn in cotton textile industries has long remained stable and the trend is expected to continue. - Strengthener. 

B. Specialized labour is not required for the manufacturing of synthetic yarn and the costs for any extra training are minimal. - "Synthetic yarn and the costs " are out of scope. Our scope is limited to weakening the conclusion "increase their profits significantly by switching to manufacturing cotton yarn."

C. The demand for textiles made from synthetic yarn has been on a downward trend for the past couple of years. - Strengthener. 

D. Any increase in the market price induced by manufacturers of synthetic yarn is likely to drive down its consumption. - Strengthener. As they can't increase profits by increasing the price of synthetic yarn manufacturing, cotton manufacturing seems to be a good option. 

E. Recent technological advancements have produced a yarn manufacturing machine that has proved to be instrumental in significantly reducing the need for human interventions. - ok. 

­Hey Banuel, Seems this question has some issues. The option E does no tell us what kind of yarn machines has been developed. Whether it is Cotton yarn machine or Synthetic Yarn machine. Since the passage says that process for making both yarns are different therefore, the machines has to be different too. What if the machine developed is for synthetic yarn then in that case sending labour from synthetic yarn to cotton yarn makes sense. Option D seems better 

­Hey karisma , Seems this question has some issues. The option E does no tell us what kind of yarn machines has been developed. Whether it is Cotton yarn machine or Synthetic Yarn machine. Since the passage says that process for making both yarns are different therefore, the machines has to be different too. What if the machine developed is for synthetic yarn then in that case sending labour from synthetic yarn to cotton yarn makes sense. Option D seems better