Occupations foster gender differences among workers in a variety of

Question

Occupations foster gender differences among workers in a variety of ways, one of the most pervasive being "internal stratification." That is, men and women in the same occupation often perform different tasks and functions. Even in those occupations that appear sexually integrated, the aggregate statistics often mask extreme internal segregation. Although the proportion of female bakers increased from 25 percent in 1970 to 41 percent in 1980, for example, the majority of female bakers are found in highly automated baking industries, while their male counterparts are located in less automated bakeries. The same phenomenon has been detected among pharmacists, financial managers, and bus drivers—all groups where the influx of women workers suggests a diminution of sex segregation. Another strategy used to maintain gender differences in supposedly integrated occupations is the use of sumptuary and etiquette rules. When women enter male-dominated occupations, certain rules are often introduced to govern their dress and demeanor. In office settings, for instance, dress codes—either formal or implicit—are not unusual; female employees may be required to wear dresses, nylons, and high-heeled shoes to enhance their femininity. So it is for female marines and male nurses, both of whom are required to dress differently from their male and female counterparts. Male nurses never wear the traditional nursing cap; female marines never sport the standard Marine Corps garrison cap.

Informal practices also play a role in constituting femininity in female marines and masculinity in male nurses. As members of visible minority groups, they stand out at work and receive far more than their fair share of attention. This phenomenon was first documented by Rosabeth Moss Kanter, who found that women in corporations, simply by virtue of their numerical rarity, were noticed and scrutinized more than their male counterparts. This added pressure may actually result in different job performances from men and women in nontraditional occupations and exacerbate gender differences. Kanter's corporate women, for example, became more secretive, less independent, and less oppositional in response to their greater visibility—all traits that have traditionally been associated with femininity. Another informal technique that enhances gender differences is practiced by supervisors who evaluate men and women differently. The very qualities that are highly praised in one sex are sometimes denigrated in the other. Thus, a man is "ambitious," a woman, "pushy"; a woman is "sensitive," a man, "wimpy."

But it would be a mistake to claim that all gender differences are forced on people. In addition to the external pressures I have just described, male nurses and female marines actively construct their own gender by redefining their activities in terms of (so) traditional masculine and feminine traits. For example, women in the Marine Corps insist that their femininity is intact even as they march cadence in camouflage units. Likewise, male nurses contend that their masculinity is not at all threatened while they care for and nurture their patients.    1 
 1. The author is primarily concerned with

A. explaining how femininity and masculinity can be reconstructed for specific careers 
B. examining jobs that, at first glance, seem to be nontraditional for men and women 
C. proving that discrimination based on gender is pervasive in all workplaces 
D. exploring the reasons why gender differences cannot be ignored in any occupation 
E. discussing practices that serve to perpetuate gender differences in the workplace

2 
 2. The author suggests which of the following about internal stratification?

A. Although women now work in industries once dominated by men, they find it difficult, if not impossible, to be promoted to managerial positions. 
B. As women enter the work force in greater numbers, men feel their jobs are threatened and their hostility results in increased tension on the job. 
C. Because men and women rarely engage in the same activities on the job, certain specialties can be feminine-identified and others masculine-identified. 
D. Since men and women are segregated in the workplace, men tend not to value the work carried out by women. 
E. Even when men and women are given the same tasks to perform, women continue to receive less pay than do their male counterparts.

3 
 3. The primary purpose of the last paragraph is to

A. emphasize the importance of outside forces in establishing gender differences 
B. point out that men and women act to enforce gender differences themselves 
C. provide an example of men and women who defy the typical perceptions of masculinity and femininity 
D. demonstrate that, even in a nontraditional context, conventional definitions of "masculine" and "feminine" are preserved 
E. describe the tension that men and women feel when their sexuality is questioned

4 
 4. Which of the following statements about men in the labor force cannot logically be inferred from the passage?

I. In many previously male-dominated industries, men have been displaced by a new generation of female employees. 
II. Men are more adept than women at performing tasks that require a high degree of manual effort. 
III. In certain industries, men have been forced to disregard convention, thereby encouraging gender disparities.

A. I
B. II
C. III
D. I and II
E. II and III

5 
 5. The author specifically mentions all of the following as methods to maintain gender differences in the workplace  EXCEPT

A. a manager's use of particular words for men and particular words for women although describing the same quality 
B. the designation of dress codes so that the physical differences between men and women are highlighted 
C. the internal pressure men and women feel to be traditionally masculine or feminine 
D. pressure from coworkers to behave in a conventionally masculine or a feminine way 
E. the assignation of different duties for men and women in the same occupation

Rushab · Answer

Could you explain answer for 3rd question please? Why should D be eliminated?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

(D)  is wrong because the paragraph actually shows that individuals in nontraditional contexts redefine their gender roles based on traditional traits, rather than preserving conventional definitions.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. The author is primarily concerned with

Explanation

The passage primarily focuses on various practices and factors that contribute to the perpetuation of gender differences within the workplace. It discusses strategies used to maintain gender differences, such as internal stratification, sumptuary and etiquette rules, and informal practices. The passage highlights how men and women in different occupations face challenges and pressures that impact their gender roles and behaviors, ultimately leading to the perpetuation of gender disparities.

While the passage does touch upon aspects of reconstructing femininity and masculinity for specific careers (option A), examining nontraditional jobs (option B), and exploring reasons for gender differences (option D), the central theme that runs throughout the passage is the discussion of practices that reinforce and perpetuate these gender differences. Therefore,  option E  is the most accurate description of the author's primary concern in the passage.

Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. The primary purpose of the last paragraph is to

Explanation

B. point out that men and women act to enforce gender differences themselves

This option is correct because the last paragraph shifts its focus to the agency of individuals (male nurses and female marines) in actively shaping and constructing their own gender identities within nontraditional occupations. The paragraph highlights how these individuals defy conventional perceptions of masculinity and femininity by engaging in activities that challenge traditional gender norms. It demonstrates that both men and women actively participate in redefining gender roles based on their actions and choices.

Now, let's discuss why the other options are incorrect:

A. emphasize the importance of outside forces in establishing gender differences 
While the passage discusses the influence of external pressures on gender differences, the last paragraph shifts its focus to the actions and choices of individuals within nontraditional contexts, rather than emphasizing outside forces.

C. provide an example of men and women who defy the typical perceptions of masculinity and femininity 
This option is partially aligned with the purpose of the last paragraph, as it does provide examples of men and women challenging traditional perceptions of masculinity and femininity. However, the primary emphasis is on the agency of these individuals in actively redefining their gender roles, rather than merely providing examples.

D. demonstrate that, even in a nontraditional context, conventional definitions of "masculine" and "feminine" are preserved 
The last paragraph does the opposite of demonstrating the preservation of conventional definitions of masculinity and femininity. It focuses on individuals actively defying and reshaping these conventional definitions.

E. describe the tension that men and women feel when their sexuality is questioned 
The last paragraph does not specifically describe tension related to questioning sexuality. Instead, it emphasizes how individuals challenge and reshape traditional gender roles.

In summary, while  option (C)  is partially aligned with the purpose of the last paragraph,  option (B)  is a more accurate representation because it captures the central idea that both men and women actively contribute to the redefinition and enforcement of gender differences within nontraditional occupations.

Answer: B

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #1

The support for the answer to this primary purpose question is provided by the statement in the passage that "occupations foster gender differences among workers in a variety of ways? Choice (A) is a reversal, as the passage notes that "male nurses and female marines actively construct their own gender? Choice (B) is recycled language, as the passage focuses on gender-oriented practices, not nontraditional jobs. Choices (C) and (D) can be eliminated, as the words "all" and "cannot be ignored" are extreme language that is not supported by the text, which uses qualifiers like often, majority, and not unusual. The correct answer is (E).

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #2

The support for the answer to this inference question is provided by the statement in the passage that "internal stratification" refers to that "men and women in the same occupation often perform different tasks and functions." Choice (A) can be eliminated, as the word "impossible" is extreme language that is not supported by the text, which references ambition as a quality denigrated in a woman. Choice (B) is a memory trap, as the passage references both the influx of women workers and that women in corporations may be noticed and scrutinized more than their male counterparts simply by virtue of their numerical rarity. Choice (D) is a memory trap, as the passage references extreme segregation and refers to different evaluations of men and women with the qualities "that are highly praised in one sex are sometimes denigrated in the other." Choice (E) is a memory trap, as the passage refers to the majority of female bakers as "found in highly automated baking industries, while their male counterparts are located in less automated bakeries," which does not necessarily indicate a difference in pay. The correct answer is (C).

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #3

The support for the answer to this purpose question is provided by the statement in the passage that "it would be a mistake to claim that all gender differences are forced on people," as "male nurses and female marines actively construct their own gender." Choice (A) is a reversal, as the author is emphasizing the importance of internal forces in the last paragraph. Choice (C) is a reversal, as the passage uses the example of male nurses and female marines earlier as an example of unusual gender roles, and as a counterexample in favor of traditional gender roles in the final paragraph. Choice (D) is a memory trap, as the author discusses the preservation of conventional gender roles in a nontraditional context in the majority of the passage, while the last paragraph focuses on self-made gender roles. Choice (E) is a memory trap, as the passage states "male nurses contend that their masculinity is not at all threatened," but provides no reference for tension. The correct answer is (B).

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #4

The support for the answer to this inference question is provided by the statement in the passage that "male nurses never wear the traditional nursing cap," which is part of a series of examples used to illustrate a strategy used to maintain gender differences. Because this question specifies "cannot logically be inferred," (C) is eliminated because it is supported by the passage. Choice (A) is not supported because the influx of women workers does not indicate a displacement of male jobs. Choice (B) is not supported because the denigrating term "wimpy" does not indicate different capabilities for manual effort. The correct answer is D.

Carcass · Answer

OE QUESTION #5

The support for the answer to this retrieval question is provided by a series of statements in the passage. The word "except" indicates that the correct answer is the choice not supported by the text. Choice (A) is supported with the reference to "the very qualities... highly praised in one...sometimes denigrated in the other." Choice (B) is supported with the reference to dress codes to "enhance...femininity." Choice (C) is supported by the phrase "actively construct their own gender...in terms of traditional masculine and feminine traits." Choice (E) is supported with the reference to "men and women in the same occupation who perform different tasks and functions." Choice D is recycled language, as the passage provides no support for pressure from coworkers. The correct answer is (D).

gullyboy09 · Answer

Here in option C, passage says men and women "often" perform different task and functions, whereas C says "rarely", in my opinion it's a jump which is not supported. Secondly, where it is discussed "certain specialities" can be feminine/masculine based on they "rarely" engage in the same activities. I don't see any causation relation in the passage.

Now with A, I think it is supported (even not fully), but best of all, "....simply by virtue of their numerical rarity,  were noticed and scrutinized more than their male counterparts. ", one can say they might find it more challenging to go up the ladder.

2. The author suggests which of the following about internal stratification?

A. Although women now work in industries once dominated by men, they find it difficult, if not impossible, to be promoted to managerial positions.
B. As women enter the work force in greater numbers, men feel their jobs are threatened and their hostility results in increased tension on the job.
C. Because men and women rarely engage in the same activities on the job, certain specialties can be feminine-identified and others masculine-identified.
D. Since men and women are segregated in the workplace, men tend not to value the work carried out by women.
E. Even when men and women are given the same tasks to perform, women continue to receive less pay than do their male counterparts.

guddo · Answer

2. The author suggests which of the following about internal stratification?

Occupations foster gender differences not only by separating men and women into different jobs, but also by dividing them into different roles within the same job. The passage calls this “internal stratification.” Even when an occupation looks integrated on paper, men and women may still be doing different kinds of work, and those differences keep some specialties coded as masculine and others as feminine.

(A) Although women now work in industries once dominated by men, they find it difficult, if not impossible, to be promoted to managerial positions.

This is not supported. The passage talks about men and women performing different tasks within the same occupation, not about promotion to management.

(B) As women enter the work force in greater numbers, men feel their jobs are threatened and their hostility results in increased tension on the job.

This is not discussed. The passage does not explain internal stratification in terms of male hostility or job threat.

(C) Because men and women rarely engage in the same activities on the job, certain specialties can be feminine-identified and others masculine-identified.

This is correct. **That is exactly what the passage suggests**. *Internal stratification* means that men and women in the same occupation often do different kinds of work, so different specialties within that occupation become identified with one gender or the other.

(D) Since men and women are segregated in the workplace, men tend not to value the work carried out by women.

This is not the point of the passage. It does not discuss men’s attitudes toward women’s work in that way.

(E) Even when men and women are given the same tasks to perform, women continue to receive less pay than do their male counterparts.

This is unsupported. The passage is about different tasks and gendered roles, not pay differences for the same tasks.

Answer: (C)

Occupations foster gender differences among workers in a variety of

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Occupations foster gender differences among workers in a variety of

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