In Forces of Production, David Noble examines the transformation of th

Question

In  Forces of Production , David Noble examines the transformation of the machine-tool industry as the industry moved from reliance on skilled artisans to automation. Noble writes from a Marxist perspective, and his central argument is that management, in its decisions to automate,  conspired against  labor: the power that the skilled machinists wielded in the industry was  intolerable to management . Noble fails to substantiate this claim, although his argument is  impressive when he applies the Marxist concept  of “de-skilling”—the use of technology to replace skilled labor—to the automation of the machine-tool industry. In automating, the industry moved to computer-based, digitized “numerical-control” (N/C) technology, rather than to artisan-generated “record-playback” (R/P) technology.

Although both systems reduced reliance on skilled labor, Noble  clearly prefers  R/P, with its inherent acknowledgment of workers’ skills: unlike N/C, its programs were produced not by engineers at their computers, but by skilled machinists, who recorded their own movements to “teach” machines to duplicate those movements. However, Noble’s  only evidence of conspiracy  is that, although the two approaches were roughly equal in technical merit, management chose N/C. From this he concludes that automation is undertaken not because efficiency demands it or scientific advances allow it, but because it is a tool in the ceaseless war of capitalists against labor.   1 
 C 
1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) reexamining a political position and defending its validity
(B) examining a management decision and defending its necessity
(C) analyzing a scholarly study and pointing out a central weakness
(D) explaining a trend in automation and warning about its dangers
(E) chronicling the history of an industry and criticizing its development

VRC000289-01 
 2 
 B 
2. According to information in the passage, the term “de-skilling” refers to the

(A) loss of skills to industry when skilled workers are replaced by unskilled laborers
(B) substitution of mechanized processes for labor formerly performed by skilled workers
(C) labor theory that automation is technologically comparable to skilled labor
(D) process by which skilled machinists “teach” machines to perform certain tasks
(E) exclusion of skilled workers from participation in the development of automated technology

3 
 A 
3. Which of the following best characterizes the function of the second paragraph of the passage?

(A) It develops a topic introduced in the first paragraph.
(B) It provides evidence to refute a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(C) It gives examples of a phenomenon mentioned in the first paragraph.
(D) It presents a generalization about examples given in the first paragraph.
(E) It suggests two possible solutions to a problem presented in the first paragraph.

VRC000289-02 
 4 
 C 
4. The passage suggests which of the following about N/C automation in the machine-tool industry?

(A) It displaced fewer skilled workers than R/P automation did.
(B) It could have been implemented either by experienced machinists or by computer engineers.
(C) It was designed without the active involvement skilled machinists.
(D) It was more difficult to design than R/P automation was.
(E) It was technically superior to R/P automation.

5 
 E 
5. Which of the following phrases most clearly reveals the attitude of the author of the passage toward Noble’s central argument?

(A) “conspired against” (line 6)
(B) “intolerable to management” (line 7)
(C) “impressive when he applies the Marxist concept” (line 9)
(D) “clearly prefers” (line 16)
(E) “only evidence of conspiracy” (line 21)

6 
 E 
6. The author of the passage commends Noble’s book for which of the following?

(A) Concentrating on skilled as opposed to unskilled workers in its discussion of the machine-tool industry
(B) Offering a generalization about the motives behind the machine-tool industry’s decision to automate
(C) Making an essential distinction between two kinds of technology employed in the machine-tool industry
(D) Calling into question the notion that managers conspired against labor in the automation of the machine-tool industry
(E) Applying the concept of de-skilling to the machine tool industry

VRC000289-04 
 7 
 D 
7. Which of the following best characterizes Forces of Production as it is described in the passage?

(A) A comparison of two interpretations of how a particular industry evolved
(B) An examination of the origin of a particular concept in industrial economics
(C) A study that points out the weakness of a particular interpretation of an industrial phenomenon
(D) A history of a particular industry from an ideological point of view
(E) An attempt to relate an industrial phenomenon in one industry to a similar phenomenon in another industry

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

The author states that Noble fails to substantiate the claim that management conspired against labor. In other words, Noble claims that management conspired against labor, but the author believes that Noble does not provide substantial evidence to back up this claim.

This refers to Noble's claim, not the author's attitude. Eliminate (A).

According to Noble, "the power that the skilled machinists wielded in the industry was intolerable to management." Again, this is part of Noble's claim, not the author's attitude. Eliminate (B).

Here the author is giving Noble some credit. The author basically says, "Noble's argument is weak, but the way that Noble applies the Marxist concept is impressive." However, the author's overall attitude is not one of praise but rather one of criticism, so this choice is not appropriate. Eliminate (C).

The author uses this phrase to describe Nobel's point of view, but this does capture the attitude of the author. Eliminate (D).

As stated above, the author believes that Nobel does not present sufficient evidence to back up the claim. In this sentence, the author accuses Nobel of providing only one piece of evidence. From the author's tone, we can infer that the author believes this one piece of evidence is weak.

The author basically says, "Nobel does not substantiate his conspiracy claim; in fact, his ONLY evidence of conspiracy is..." This phrase captures the author's believe that Nobel has failed to sufficiently back up his conspiracy claim, so (E) is the best answer.

Forces of Production  is a work by David Noble. The author criticizes Nobel's work, but the work itself does not "point out the weakness of a particular interpretation of an industrial phenomenon."

From a Marxist perspective, Noble "examines the transformation of the machine-tool industry as the industry moved from reliance on skilled artisans to automation." In other words, "from an ideological point of view" (Marxist perspective),  Forces of Production  describes "a history of a particular industry" (the machine-tool industry). Choice (D) is spot on.

sleekmover · Answer

1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
(A) reexamining a political position and defending its validity - n (though marxism is mentioned but that is not the theme of passage.)
(B) examining a management decision and defending its necessity - n (this is just one point mentioned in the passage. also there is no defense stated in the passage for its necessity)

(C) analyzing a scholarly study and pointing out a central weakness - y (study is of the book written by a marxist scholar and the weakness is the conspiracy theory propogated without any substatntial evidence)

(D) explaining a trend in automation and warning about its dangers - n (there is no trend shown. david noble might be warning about its dangers but the author is not)
(E) chronicling the history of an industry and criticizing its development - n (no history is chronicled)

Ans: C

2. According to information in the passage, the term “de-skilling” refers to the
(A) loss of skills to industry when skilled workers are replaced by unskilled laborers - n 
(B) substitution of mechanized processes for labor formerly performed by skilled workers - y (clearly mentioned after the dash in line no 7)
(C) labor theory that automation is technologically comparable to skilled labor - n (no mention of labor theory)
(D) process by which skilled machinists “teach” machines to perform certain tasks - n (that is mentioned later in the passage not for this)
(E) exclusion of skilled workers from participation in the development of automated technology - n (again mentioned later but there is no mention of exclusion though)

Ans: B

3. Which of the following best characterizes the function of the second paragraph of the passage?
(A) It develops a topic introduced in the first paragraph. - y (it goes on to describe the two different ways of autmating introduced in first passage)
(B) It provides evidence to refute a claim presented in the first paragraph. - n (no claim is refuted)
(C) It gives examples of a phenomenon mentioned in the first paragraph. - n (there is no phenomenon mentioned)
(D) It presents a generalization about examples given in the first paragraph. - n (its the other way round)
(E) It suggests two possible solutions to a problem presented in the first paragraph. - n (there are no solutions provided)

Ans: A

4. The passage suggests which of the following about N/C automation in the machine-tool industry?
(A) It displaced fewer skilled workers than R/P automation did. - n (no comparison of such nature is mentioneD)
(B) It could have been implemented either by experienced machinists or by computer engineers. - n (it could be implemented only by comp eng)

(C) It was designed without the active involvement skilled machinists. - y (this is clearly mentioned)
(D) It was more difficult to design than R/P automation was. - n (no such comparison is mentioned)
(E) It was technically superior to R/P automation. - n (no mention of this)

Ans: c

5. Which of the following phrases most clearly reveals the attitude of the author of the passage toward Noble’s central argument?
(A) “conspired against” (line 6) - n (Noble's view, not author's)
(B) “intolerable to management” (line 7) - n (Noble's view, not author's)
(C) “impressive when he applies the Marxist concept” (line 9) -n (this is not the noble's central argument)
(D) “clearly prefers” (line 16) - n (Noble's view, not author's)
(E) “only evidence of conspiracy” (line 21) - y (yes)

Ans: E

6. The author of the passage commends Noble’s book for which of the following?
(A) Concentrating on skilled as opposed to unskilled workers in its discussion of the machine-tool industry - n (though Noble mentions only skilled workers but that does not mean the author commends him)
(B) Offering a generalization about the motives behind the machine-tool industry’s decision to automate - n 
(C) Making an essential distinction between two kinds of technology employed in the machine-tool industry - n (though mentioned but author does not commend him for this)
(D) Calling into question the notion that managers conspired against labor in the automation of the machine-tool industry - n (though mentioned but author does not commend him for this)
(E) Applying the concept of de-skilling to the machine tool industry - y (authhor is impressed by this)

Ans: E

7. Which of the following best characterizes Forces of Production as it is described in the passage?
(A) A comparison of two interpretations of how a particular industry evolved - n (there are no two interpretations mentioned)
(B) An examination of the origin of a particular concept in industrial economics - n (this is taking the argument too far)
(C) A study that points out the weakness of a particular interpretation of an industrial phenomenon - n

(D) A history of a particular industry from an ideological point of view - y (marxist point of view)
(E) An attempt to relate an industrial phenomenon in one industry to a similar phenomenon in another industry -n

Ans: D

carcass · Answer

1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

C For the reason why here the author analaysing a phenomenon, infact in the 7 answer talks about Forces of Production

2. According to information in the passage, the term “de-skilling” refers to the

B the use of technology to replace skilled labor

3. Which of the following best characterizes the function of the second paragraph of the passage?

A -> In automating, the industry moved to computer-based, digitized “numerical-control” (N/C) technology, rather than to artisan-generated “record-playback” (R/P) technology.  last phrase of first paragraph

4. The passage suggests which of the following about N/C automation in the machine-tool industry?

C  unlike N/C, its programs were produced not by engineers at their computers, but by skilled machinists

5. Which of the following phrases most clearly reveals the attitude of the author of the passage toward Noble’s central argument?

C  Noble fails to substantiate this claim, although his argument is impressive when he applies the Marxist concept of “de-skilling”

6. The author of the passage commends Noble’s book for which of the following?

B  In Forces of Production, David Noble examines the transformation of the machine-tool industry as the industry moved from reliance on skilled artisans to automation

7. Which of the following best characterizes Forces of Production as it is described in the passage?

A from the concept of Forces of Production............

A tough reading comprehension

goalset · Answer

Got C,B,A,C,E,E,D in 6:30 mins.
Q.1 C,The author is analysing a book of someone else and this is the only answer specifying the same.
Q.2 B,The definition of de skilling is given in the passage 
Q.3 A,It provides information on R/P and N/C which was introduced in last lines of first paragraph.
Q.4 C, 
Q 5,E author is sceptical about Noble's evidence in the entire paragraph and mentions that only one evidence has been provided.
Q 6,E 
Q 7,D Noble has published the book using Marxist point of view which can be called ideological.

MinHuiii · Answer

Thank you so much

gmatexam439 · Answer

Hello GMATNinja , Hope you are doing great nowdays

I have a small question. How should we tackle such questions as quoted above? Do such questions appear on the real exam now? If yes, how exactly are we meant to tackle them. I got all others correct but was bumped by this one. Please enlighten me. Regards

GMATNinja · Answer

Marxism is a set of political and economic ideas. From the passage, we can infer that Marxism consists of ideas that are pro-labor and anti-management/capitalist.

An ideology is "a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy." Thus, Marxism can be considered an ideology. "Perspective" and "point of view" mean the same thing here, so a Marxist perspective is certainly an ideological point of view.

DogGoesWoof · Answer

robu1  : I got this wrong too - would recommend reading GMATNinja's explanation above.

Basically in Forces of Production, Noble uses the concept of Marxism- an ideology - to explain the shift to automation in the machine tool industry. I chose E as my answer since I didn't understand the word 'ideology'. But later I realized that no other industry is actually mentioned so E is wrong.

manishcmu · Answer

In the Forces of production, Noble did discuss how a particular industry (machine-tool industry) evolved, but he did not give two interpretations of this evolution. N/C and R/P are not two interpretations, instead they are just two different technologies. The industry decided to go with N/C technology.

mSKR · Answer

Hi  AndrewN  ( this questions seems more like SC ).

But C says : it was designed without active involvement skilled machinists.

Then how C can be correct?

Does it mean: its programs were produced not by engineers at their computers, but by skilled machinists, REFERS TO R/P? 
shall we read the sentence as :

Noble clearly prefers R/P,  with its inherent acknowledgment of workers’ skills: unlike N/C , its programs were produced not by engineers at their computers, but by skilled machinists, 
OR
Noble clearly prefers R/P,  with its inherent acknowledgment of workers’ skills :  unlike N/C, its programs were produced not by engineers at their computers, but by skilled machinists,

Please suggest

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  imSKR . Yes, the first line of the second paragraph refers to R/P,  not  to N/C. All you have to do is trace  its  back to its logical referent. Our line (in full):

The use of a colon tells us that what follows is in some way harking back to a point that has been made. Here, the discussion is centered on R/P, and the two instances of  its  must refer to the same entity. We also have a nice cue in the comparison marker  unlike , so we understand that R/P, and not N/C, had programs that were produced by skilled machinists.

I hope that helps. These RC passages force you to pause sometimes to straighten out the meaning, and yes, that is similar to what we encounter in SC questions, particularly long-winded ones.

Thank you for bringing my attention to the question.

- Andrew

shauryahanda · Answer

Dear moderators can you pl help me with this

in question 7, I feel option B is extremely lucrative and I am unable to not eliminate it

7. Which of the following best characterizes Forces of Production as it is described in the passage?

(A) A comparison of two interpretations of how a particular industry evolved
(B) An examination of the origin of a particular concept in industrial economics
(C) A study that points out the weakness of a particular interpretation of an industrial phenomenon
(D) A history of a particular industry from an ideological point of view
(E) An attempt to relate an industrial phenomenon in one industry to a similar phenomenon in another industry

in option B - An examination of the origin of a particular concept in industrial economics - can this not be translated into An examination of the origin of <transformation to automation> in industrial economics ( a particular concept = transformation to automation) and since this has been mentioned as the central argument of the book

shrgmat · Answer

Good passage with couple of questions that make you really think!

shrgmat · Answer

There is no talk about "economics" in the passage & certainly not any kind of origin of it. D is a tough option to select, but no other option really fits. So, you end up with D by elimination. Nothing really says that "Forces of Production" talks about 'history'..

uttonio · Answer

Hello guys, I am writing this out to mentally remember my mistakes. Feel free to ignore my comment hihi. It's not that hard after looking at it and do some contemplation. My got my answers wrong on question 5 and 7, because I didn't read the questions carefully. Question 5: I didn't take into account the word "central argument", so I happily chose another answer related to that word (impressive) since I had done another question like this before. The author found Noble's argument very weak but he also commended Noble on applying the Marxist concept. After praising Noble's concept and elaborated on it in paragraph 2, the author started to talk about how Noble had a weak argument again: "However, Noble’s only evidence of conspiracy is that..." It's crazy how logically the question goes. This is the second time I really notice a trick that GRE usually uses. It is connecting ideas that are very very far from each other in the text. In order to answer this question correctly, I need to understand the whole meaning of the text by looking at the conjunctions: although, however. Skimming the text or getting involved in its details do not work at all. Question 7: I thought that the question asked about the main idea of the text, which was wrong. It asked about the book of Noble. No two interpretations in the text. There's only one main argument regarding the conspiracy of management against labor. I think this question is for those who skim the text and see the mention of two technologies N/C and R/P. It sounds correct, but we need "transformation", not "origin". Next! This answer is for those who settle for the "seem right" answers without fully understanding the text. It also tests people who choose answers based on their assumptions and common sense. Update: I was drawn into choosing this answer. If the text has something to do with "origin", it should mention "knives" or "stones". Try to look at the evidence in the text. Don't make guesses. Crazy. Trap answer if we don't read the question carefully. Since the question asked about the book, this answer is the easiest to eliminate. This answer is for those who don't look at the question carefully, like me

) Still, I feel uneasy when thinking about the possibility of this answer being correct if the question is about the main idea of the text. If it were to be about the main idea of the text, this answer may be correct because in paragraph 2, the author means that Noble has only a piece of evidence to back his argument. I was like: "Ideological?" It seemed wrong. Even after eliminating other answers and arriving at this answer, I still didn't figure out where the "ideological" word comes from. Now I get it: Marxist perspective. This answer tricks people the most because it changes "an ideological point of view" to "Marxist perspective". And it has the word: history, which sounds so generic. But it's the correct answer. Much wow~ Irrelevant. This answer is for elimination only.

sea0920 · Answer

For Question 7 Answer D, the word "history" doesn't sound right unless Forces of Production is a history book.

waytowharton · Answer

KarishmaB   GMATNinja    AndrewN

Can you please help me with Q3. Which of the following best characterizes the function of the second paragraph of the passage?

(A) It develops a topic introduced in the first paragraph.
(B) It provides evidence to refute a claim presented in the first paragraph.

Doubt 1 - I want to understand why Option B is correct? In para 1 author says that Noble fails to substantiate his claim and In second para author provides evidence that basis just 1 evidence he has formed his POV. Is my understanding correct?

Doubt 2 - Couldn't the para structing also be seen as para 1 says that Noble fails to substantiate his claim, while Para 2 provides evidence. In such case, Option A would be correct.

Looking forward for your response. Thanks in advance!

KarishmaB · Answer

But option (A) is correct and option (B) is wrong. In para 2, he doesn't refute a claim presented in para 1. He explains why he claimed what he did in para 1.

Author's claim in para 1: Noble's central argument is that management conspired against labor. Noble fails to substantiate this claim.
Explanation in para 2: Noble’s only evidence of conspiracy is that, ... (why the author says that Nobel fails to substantiate the claim)

kittle · Answer

Always writing great answers! Thanks for answering these two main pain point questions. Appreciate it.

In Forces of Production, David Noble examines the transformation of th

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

In Forces of Production, David Noble examines the transformation of th

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