There is an intriguing note to the current call upon civil rights law

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 44, Date : 22-FEB-2019
 This post is a part of New Project RC Butler 2019 .  Click here for Details

There is an intriguing note to the current call upon civil rights law to help remedy the undervaluation of women’s work. Until fairly recently, government was not expected to solve workers’ economic grievances, however valid they might be. Many assumed that the responsibility lay with workers themselves. Collective bargaining was the preferred instrument for pursuing pay equity for women. Rather than call upon the law to regulate the market from the outside, one could try to reshape or otherwise influence the market so that women themselves would be better able to address the problem.  This could be done by raising absolute  wage levels in low paying, predominantly female industries (such as retail clothing) or by changing the pay relationship between largely female and largely male occupations within a single industry, such as auto manufacturing. Through union representation, employees in traditionally female jobs in an industry could identify the actual degree of underpayment of their work and then, as a group, pressure their employer to remedy it. In addition, this process would encourage those affected-men and women alike-to be sensitive to the limits of available resources, to be pragmatic about the pace at which the wage structure could be revised.

I do not mean to suggest that collective bargaining is a foolproof means for closing the gender gap in wages. To the extent that the problem involves the undervaluation of nonunion female occupations in an otherwise unionized industry, political hurdles will discourage unionized employees from supporting revisions in the wage structure. And to the extent that the problem is the concentration of women in low-paying industries-  textiles , for example-the product market imposes serious economic constraints on a substantial closing of the wage gap.

Despite the imperfections of tools like collective bargaining for redressing wage disparities between men and women, a reliance on law or government is favorable for neither individual firms nor our economy as a whole. Nonetheless, although  opponents of mandatory public remedies  may correctly fear those remedies as being a cure worse than the disease, they are wrong when they imply that the current system of wage determination by business management is perfectly healthy.   1 
 1. In line 10 (Bolded), this most likely refers to

(A) increasing the wages of women and men in a single industry
(B) bringing about changes in market conditions
(C) changing the dynamic of collective bargaining
(D) relying on civil rights law to remedy economic grievances
(E) applying group pressure on an employer

2 
 2. According to the author, the process of unionization and collective bargaining could do all of the following EXCEPT

(A) overcome market pressures that keep wages in some industries lower than in others
(B) encourage worker flexibility in adjusting a new pay scale to economic conditions
(C) help workers to apply group pressure on employers
(D) aid in determining the degree to which women are being underpaid
(E) sensitize workers to the limits of their industry’s ability to institute change

3 
 3. Which of the following best summarizes the author’s main point?

(A) Pay inequity for women exists because of the lack of unionization in traditionally female occupations.
(B) Government regulation of industry to achieve pay equity for women is unnecessary because management has the power to effectively determine wages.
(C) Unionization would solve all industry problems relating to the valuation of women’s work.
(D) Government regulation of women’s wages is necessary only in those industries where collective bargaining is ineffective.
(E) Collective bargaining is preferable to government actions in redressing the undervaluation of women’s work.

4 
 4. The author mentions textiles ( Highlighted ) in order to

(A) demonstrate the potential harm of government regulation of industry
(B) outline a strategy for achieving pay equity for women
(C) indicate how quickly employees can reasonably expect to achieve pay equity
(D) give an example of a situation in which collective bargaining may be ineffective
(E) show why civil rights laws are the most important tool for increasing women’s wages

5 
 5. It can be inferred that the author’s attitude toward opponents of government regulation of wage determination mentioned in the last paragraph is characterized by which of the following?

I.  Distrust of their motives
 II.  Sympathy with some of their concerns
 III.  Disagreement with some of their assumptions
 IV.  Opposition to their political principles

(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and IV

6 
 6. In the final paragraph, the author addresses “opponents of mandatory public remedies” ( Highlighted ) by

(A) arguing that those remedies would benefit the economy
(B) implying that alternative methods of correcting wage disparities would be worse
(C) asserting that the present approach to setting wages is flawed
(D) defending civil rights legislation as a solution to social problems
(E) insisting that those remedies are a viable means of correcting wage disparities

7 
 7. The passage refers to which of the following as reasons for preferring collective bargaining to legislation as a method of ending the undervaluation of women’s work?

I.  The greater responsiveness of collective bargaining to existing conditions that affect wage levels
 II.  The general desirability of using private rather than public remedies
 III.  The potential of collective bargaining for achieving a uniform national solution to the problem of gender wage disparities

(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III

aragonn · Answer

Can you pls give your thinking for these two questions?

JS1290 · Answer

Could anyone please explain Q2 and Q7 or post an OE for these questions?

asthagupta · Answer

for que 5 i selected B(only III), i am not getting how it is mentioned that author is showing sympathy.
and for que 7, i selected A(only I), this i s was not sure if II can be be true.

asthagupta · Answer

que 2: option C, D and E are clearly mentioned towards the end of first paragraph so they can be done. Option B is indirectly supported but as we are not sure so let us work on A and B Following lines from para two states that the process of unionization and collective bargaining could not overcome market pressure: And to the extent that the problem is the concentration of women in low-paying industries- textiles, for example-the product market imposes serious economic constraints on a substantial closing of the wage gap. this clearly implies that A can not be done Please let me know if this helps

aragonn · Answer

for Question number 5

The answer to this question is in the last paragraph, where the author refers to the “opponents” of government regulation. The author says that they aren’t right about everything, although they are right about the evils of government intervention. This confirms options II and III—the author is sympathetic, but disagrees with part of their argument. Since only (D) includes both II and III, it must be the correct answer. Statements I and IV suggest that the author’s hostile to the opponents. The author generally agrees with them! The author takes issue with one point only.

aragonn · Answer

for answer 7 : 
The answer to this question will appear in the first paragraph, which lists all the reasons collective bargaining is good. Option I is implied at the end of the paragraph with “sensitive to the limits.” Option II occurs at the beginning of the paragraph, which endorses self-help over civil rights law. Option III, however, is not found here. In fact, option III appears in the discussion of the weaknesses of collective bargaining in paragraph 2.

apovit · Answer

Hello,
Got the 1st and 5th wrong 
For 1st, i was able to reject all the options except A and B, but at last saw wages common in the option A and the bolded part.
Could any explain the reason for B to be the right answer.
Apovit

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello  apovit

In Option A

(A) increasing the wages of women and men   in a single industry

Single industry make it too much specific and hence make it wrong.

Varun2001 · Answer

hello, can someone explain me the answer of question 2????

GunjS · Answer

Hello

What is the difference between Option B and C? I chose B because isnt author implying that alternative methods (by govt regulations) is worse.

Or alternatively, I think I dont understand the entire text of the para "Nonetheless, although opponents of mandatory public remedies may correctly fear  those remedies  as being a cure worse than the disease, they are wrong when they imply that the current system of wage determination by business management is perfectly healthy."

"Those remedies" points to govt regulations?

6. In the final paragraph, the author addresses “opponents of mandatory public remedies” (Highlighted) by

(A) arguing that those remedies would benefit the economy
(B) implying that alternative methods of correcting wage disparities would be worse
(C) asserting that the present approach to setting wages is flawed
(D) defending civil rights legislation as a solution to social problems
(E) insisting that those remedies are a viable means of correcting wage disparities

Teitsuya · Answer

Sajjad1994

I got wrong answer for 3rd and 7th.
Can you help me to navigate the correct answers?

AnirudhaS · Answer

Q7 I don't know if the question setter is pushing the boundaries of implying.

ravigupta2912 · Answer

Answer to Q6 is quite a stretch of inference? The author has said (in the last passage) that the existing methods of wage determination may not be "perfectly healthy". However, that cannot be construed as existing mechanisms being flawed.

Anyone care to shed light on Q6? I was mainly stuck between C and E and went for E because vis-a-vis C, it appeared less extreme. The inference in C, to me, seemed a bit of a stretch.

Thoughts anyone?

Deyoz · Answer

can someone please post the detail explanation for question 7

sssanskaar · Answer

I had the exact thought process, word by word, and ended up marking B as the answer.  Sajjad1994  can you please post a detailed explanation for Qn#6?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Options A, D  and  E  are opposite to what is required by the question.  Option B  and  C  are close, Why  B  is incorrect and  C  is correct, read the lines from the passage:

Nonetheless, although opponents of mandatory public remedies  may  correctly fear those remedies as being a cure worse than the disease,  they are wrong  when they imply that the current system of wage determination by business management is perfectly healthy.

the word  "may"  suggested that the information is  not verified  or we are not sure about but passage suggests that we are sure they are wrong (the opponents of remedies) when they imply that the current system of wage determination by business management is perfectly healthy.

Option B  here is a  "could be true answer"  while  C  is  "Must be true"  answer.

Thank you

Vivek100 · Answer

Can someone tell me the reason why option C is correct for question 7??

Posted from my mobile device

MayankDimri · Answer

Can anyone explain Q7? I understand that the public remedies may not be a useful option as per the passage. But how can we say private will be better? Is the comparison exclusively stated/inferred?

siddhantvarma · Answer

Summary : The passage discusses the use of civil rights law to address the undervaluation of women's work, contrasting it with the traditional approach of collective bargaining. The author argues that collective bargaining, despite its limitations, is preferable to government intervention in addressing wage disparities between men and women. The passage explores the benefits and drawbacks of both approaches, ultimately suggesting that while the current system of wage determination by businesses is flawed, government regulation may not be the ideal solution.

Passage Breakdown: 
 P1 : Introduces the topic of using civil rights law to address women's work undervaluation. It contrasts this with the historical preference for collective bargaining as a means to achieve pay equity. The paragraph outlines the potential benefits of collective bargaining, including its ability to reshape the market from within and encourage pragmatism among workers.

P2 : Acknowledges the limitations of collective bargaining in addressing wage disparities. It points out political hurdles within unionized industries and economic constraints in low-paying industries dominated by women.

P3 : Concludes by asserting that despite the imperfections of collective bargaining, reliance on law or government intervention is not favorable for individual firms or the economy. However, it also acknowledges that the current system of wage determination by businesses is not perfect.

1. In line 10 (Bolded), this most likely refers to

(A) increasing the wages of women and men in a single industry  
  This is incorrect   because the passage specifically refers to changing the pay relationship between female and male occupations, not just increasing wages overall.

(B) bringing about changes in market conditions.  
  This is correct   because the passage states "Rather than call upon the law to regulate the market from the outside, one could try to reshape or otherwise influence the market." This directly refers to bringing about changes in market conditions.

(C) changing the dynamic of collective bargaining. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage is discussing the effects of collective bargaining, not changing its dynamics.

(D) relying on civil rights law to remedy economic grievances. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage is contrasting this approach with collective bargaining.

(E) applying group pressure on an employer. 
  This is incorrect   because while this is mentioned as a result of collective bargaining, it's not what "this" refers to in the context.

2. According to the author, the process of unionization and collective bargaining could do all of the following EXCEPT

(A) overcome market pressures that keep wages in some industries lower than in others 
  This is correct   because it's the EXCEPTION. The passage states that in low-paying industries like textiles, "the product market imposes serious economic constraints on a substantial closing of the wage gap."

(B) encourage worker flexibility in adjusting a new pay scale to economic conditions.  
  This is incorrect   because the passage mentions that collective bargaining would "encourage those affected-men and women alike-to be sensitive to the limits of available resources."

(C) help workers to apply group pressure on employers. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage explicitly states that through union representation, employees could "pressure their employer to remedy" underpayment.

(D) aid in determining the degree to which women are being underpaid. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage states that employees could "identify the actual degree of underpayment of their work."

(E) sensitize workers to the limits of their industry's ability to institute change.
 This is incorrect   because the passage mentions that the process would encourage those affected "to be pragmatic about the pace at which the wage structure could be revised."

3. Which of the following best summarizes the author’s main point?

(A) Pay inequity for women exists because of the lack of unionization in traditionally female occupations. 
  This is incorrect   because while the passage discusses unionization, it doesn't claim this is the sole cause of pay inequity.

(B) Government regulation of industry to achieve pay equity for women is unnecessary because management has the power to effectively determine wages. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage acknowledges flaws in the current system of wage determination by businesses.

(C) Unionization would solve all industry problems relating to the valuation of women's work. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage acknowledges limitations of collective bargaining.

(D) Government regulation of women's wages is necessary only in those industries where collective bargaining is ineffective. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage doesn't make this specific claim.

(E) Collective bargaining is preferable to government actions in redressing the undervaluation of women's work. 
  This is correct   because it aligns with the author's main argument throughout the passage, as summarized in the final paragraph.

4. The author mentions textiles (Highlighted) in order to

(A) demonstrate the potential harm of government regulation of industry.  
  This is incorrect   because the textiles example isn't used in relation to government regulation.

(B) outline a strategy for achieving pay equity for women.  
  This is incorrect   because the textiles example is used to show a limitation, not a strategy.

(C) indicate how quickly employees can reasonably expect to achieve pay equity. 
  This is incorrect   because the example doesn't discuss timelines for achieving pay equity.

(D) give an example of a situation in which collective bargaining may be ineffective. 
  This is correct   because the textiles example is used to show how "the product market imposes serious economic constraints on a substantial closing of the wage gap" in low-paying industries.

(E) show why civil rights laws are the most important tool for increasing women's wages. 
  This is incorrect   because the passage doesn't advocate for civil rights laws as the most important tool.

5. It can be inferred that the author’s attitude toward opponents of government regulation of wage determination mentioned in the last paragraph is characterized by which of the following?

I. Distrust of their motives
II. Sympathy with some of their concerns
III. Disagreement with some of their assumptions
IV. Opposition to their political principles

I. Distrust of their motives: There's no evidence in the passage to support this.
II. Sympathy with some of their concerns:   This is correct  . The author acknowledges that "opponents of mandatory public remedies may correctly fear those remedies as being a cure worse than the disease."
III. Disagreement with some of their assumptions:   This is correct  . The author states that these opponents "are wrong when they imply that the current system of wage determination by business management is perfectly healthy."
IV. Opposition to their political principles: There's no evidence in the passage to support this.

Therefore, the correct answer is (D) II and III only.

6. In the final paragraph, the author addresses “opponents of mandatory public remedies” (Highlighted) by

(A) arguing that those remedies would benefit the economy. 
  This is incorrect   because the author suggests that reliance on law or government "is favorable for neither individual firms nor our economy as a whole."

(B) implying that alternative methods of correcting wage disparities would be worse. 
  This is incorrect   because the author actually favors alternative methods like collective bargaining.

(C) asserting that the present approach to setting wages is flawed.  
  This is correct   because the author states that opponents "are wrong when they imply that the current system of wage determination by business management is perfectly healthy."

(D) defending civil rights legislation as a solution to social problems.  
  This is incorrect   because the author doesn't defend civil rights legislation.

(E) insisting that those remedies are a viable means of correcting wage disparities.  
  This is incorrect   because the author expresses skepticism about government remedies.

7. The passage refers to which of the following as reasons for preferring collective bargaining to legislation as a method of ending the undervaluation of women’s work?

I. The greater responsiveness of collective bargaining to existing conditions that affect wage levels
II. The general desirability of using private rather than public remedies
III. The potential of collective bargaining for achieving a uniform national solution to the problem of gender wage disparities

I. The greater responsiveness of collective bargaining to existing conditions that affect wage levels: This is correct. The passage mentions that collective bargaining would encourage workers "to be sensitive to the limits of available resources, to be pragmatic about the pace at which the wage structure could be revised."
II. The general desirability of using private rather than public remedies: This is correct. The author states that "reliance on law or government is favorable for neither individual firms nor our economy as a whole."
III. The potential of collective bargaining for achieving a uniform national solution to the problem of gender wage disparities: This is incorrect. The passage doesn't mention anything about a uniform national solution.

Therefore, the correct answer is (C) I and II only.

There is an intriguing note to the current call upon civil rights law

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

There is an intriguing note to the current call upon civil rights law

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