The recruitment and development of talent is a growing priority for

Question

The recruitment and development of talent is a growing priority for many organizations, and is increasingly regarded as an important competitive advantage. One example of this emphasis on talent development is the creation of so-called ‘C’ level executive roles—Chief Talent or Personnel Officer—that represent the interests of the Human Resources department. This is a significant change from past years, during which Human Resources was generally considered a lower priority, even a necessary evil, and a destination for executives that did not thrive in other departments.

This change has had an important beneficiary—women. An extraordinarily high proportion of Human Resources departments are run by women, reflecting the composition of the departments themselves. For better or worse, Human Resources positions have long been perceived as natural roles for women, as women are generally regarded as more nurturing and service-oriented than their male counterparts. As these traits are considered core to the functioning of effective Human Resources personnel, the advancement of women within HR departments has been routine and that, in turn, has attracted more women. Additionally, the lifestyle of workers in the Human Resources department is often not as demanding in terms of hours and weekends worked as it is for workers in other departments; many women with children find this appealing.

The preponderance of female heads of Human Resources departments and the higher prioritization of talent development have combined to give many female executives increased authority and influence. Many women, after performing well in a Human Resources capacity, have been given additional responsibilities in other departments. Also, more female executives have been asked to represent their organizations at industry conferences, further increasing their visibility.   1 
 1. Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage?

(A) An innovative idea is explained, and the unexpected results of the idea’s adoption are listed.
(B) A new theory is described, and evidence is provided to support this hypothesis.
(C) An established practice is challenged, and the results of this challenge are documented.
(D) A recent trend is introduced, and an impact of this trend is then explained and examined.
(E) A change in emphasis is detailed, and advocates of this change are described.

2 
 2. The passage implies that an organization with a Chief Talent Officer

(A) employs a woman in the position
(B) regards Human Resources as more important than other departments
(C) emphasizes the importance of Human Resources to a greater degree than organizations without such a position
(D) enjoys a competitive advantage relative to other organizations
(E) is attractive to prospective female employees

3 
 3. The passage suggests which of the following about the “additional responsibilities” cited in the second sentence of the third paragraph?

(A) They are probably in areas not as traditionally associated with female leadership.
(B) They are in departments that used to be run by a man.
(C) They are similar to responsibilities that these women have already successfully undertaken.
(D)They include speaking at industry conferences on behalf of these women’s organizations.
(E) They are more important than these women’s prior responsibilities in the Human Resources area.

4 
 4. The tone of the passage suggests that the author regards the changes described in the passage as

(A) overdue redress for issues historically faced by women
(B) a natural result of business and personnel trends
(C) an unfortunate continuation of pervasive misconceptions
(D) a necessary step in the realignment of management
(E) a formidable new impediment to social changes

5 
 5.Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?

(A) Human Resources departments are attractive to women for a number of reasons.
(B) Women are more effective at developing and retaining talent than their male counterparts.
(C) The increasing emphasis on the recruitment and treatment of talent has benefited many female executives.
(D) Women are being promoted to lead Human Resources departments more and more frequently.
(E) The recruitment and development of talent is receiving greater attention and emphasis in many organizations.

6 
 6. The passage suggests that all of the following contribute to the relatively high proportion of female heads of Human Resources departments EXCEPT:

(A) The perception that being service-oriented is important for Human Resources personnel.
(B) The perception that advancement for women in such departments is common.
(C) The perception that such departments accommodate more balanced work schedules than other departments.
(D) The proportion of women working in such departments.
(E) The increasing visibility of women at industry conferences.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

let us read the passage -
  Para 1: -    
the first sentence talks about the growing importance of recruitment and development of talent. The second sentence expands on the first by stating that this trend has led to the formation of new roles - CTOs. 
the third sentence explains that this trend has led to a significant change - HR is no longer considered a lower priority role in organizations.

Para 2: -   
the first sentence expands on the last sentence of the 1st paragraph. It suggests that this change has benefited women. The rest of the paragraph expands on this idea.

Para 3: -   
the first sentence states that this trend has given female executives increased authority and influence. the rest of the paragraph expands on this idea.

I can summarize the passage as this -
 Para 1 - growing importance of recruitment and development of talent has led to a significant change (HR is no longer considered low priority)
Para 2 - the above trend has benefited women
Para 3 - the above trend has given female executives increased authority and influence.

Let us attempt Q.5
A - this is mentioned only in the second paragraph and is not the main idea of the passage.

B - this is mentioned only in the second paragraph and is not the main idea of the passage.

"Human Resources positions have long been perceived as natural roles for women, as women are generally regarded as more nurturing and service-oriented than their male counterparts." 
more nurturing and service oriented does not mean that they are more effective at developing AND retaining talent.

Also, note the usage of the word " regarded as " - Regarded as means it is an opinion held by some people. Does not mean that it is a fact.
 "Women are more effective at developing and retaining talent than their male counterparts."  - this states a fact. Hence, incorrect.

C - correct answer. The entire passage talks about how changing trends in recruitment and treatment of talent has benefited women in organizations.

D - not the main idea of the passage. the main idea is how changing trends in recruitment and retention of talent has benefited women.
I do not know whether this happens "more and more frequently". The passage only states that  now  HR departments are mostly run by women

E - not the main idea. this is only mentioned in the first paragraph and is clearly not the main idea of the passage.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Here is my summary of the passage - 
 
Para 1 - growing importance of recruitment and development of talent has led to a significant change (HR is no longer considered low priority)
Para 2 - the above trend has benefited women
Para 3 - the above trend has given female executives increased authority and influence.

Question 1-
A - there is no mention of an "innovative idea". Only a recent trend is mentioned. The trend has benefited women.
We do not whether this change is "unexpected" or not.

B - there is no mention of a "theory". Only a recent trend is mentioned. the rest of the passage expands on how this trend has benefited women. i.e. the  effects of the trend are described . there is no mention of any "evidence provided to support the theory"

C - the tone of the author is descriptive. He/she does not challenge any "established practice".
there is no mention of "practice" in the passage. Only a recent trend is mentioned.

D - correct answer. Look at the summary of the passage written above.

E - the author does not name any "advocates of change". Incorrect.

Question 4
A - there is no mention of any "historical issues faced by women". We cannot infer anything about whether the changes were "overdue" or not.
We do not whether the changes "redress any issue" or not.
B - correct answer. this is mentioned in the first paragraph.
growing importance of recruitment and development of talent (business and personnel trends) has led to a significant change (HR is no longer considered low priority). these trends have benefited women.
C - the author's tone is descriptive. He/she does not use a negative tone. "unfortunate continuation" is incorrect.
Also, there is no mention of any "misconceptions"
D - the author does not mention whether changes are "necessary" or not.
E - the author does not use a negative tone. "impediment" - incorrect.
Also, there is no mention of "social changes"; just how women in workplace have benefited.
Also, we have no idea whether the changes are "formidable" or not.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Question 2

This question talks about Chief Talent officer. This is mentioned in paragraph 1.

A - incorrect. Nowhere does the passage mention that only women are employed as CTOs.
All that we know from the passage is this - 
 "An extraordinarily high proportion of Human Resources departments are run by women, reflecting the composition of the departments themselves." 
This does not mean that  ONLY  women are employed to such positions.

B - incorrect
 "significant change from past years, during which Human Resources was generally considered a lower priority" 
this compares how HR departments are considered now to how they were considered in the past. Does not mean that HR departments are more important than others.

C - correct answer.
look at these sentences - 
" One example of this emphasis on talent development is the creation of so-called C level executive roles--Chief Talent or Personnel Officer  that represent the interests of the HR department  "
This statement tells us that creation of CTO roles is to promote the interests of the HR department.

D - incorrect.
" The recruitment and development of talent is a growing priority for many organizations, and is increasingly  regarded as  an important competitive advantage ." - this states a judgment. It need not necessarily be a fact.

The answer option - " enjoys a competitive advantage relative to other organizations " - however, talks about a fact.

E - incorrect.
We know that  HR roles  are attractive for female employees. We cannot infer about  other roles .

Question 3.
this is mentioned in the last paragraph of the passage. Let me read the sentences surrounding this phrase.

" Many women, after performing well in a Human Resources capacity, have been given additional responsibilities in other departments. " - One example of increased authority and influence is additional responsibilities in other departments. (this was not the case earlier).
HR = traditionally associated with female leadership. other departments = not as traditionally associated with female leadership.

A - correct answer. Note the usage of the word 'probably'. this broadens the scope of the option.
B - Incorrect. "used to be run by a man" - implies that they are no longer run by men - this cannot be inferred.
Also, dropping the word 'probably' narrows the scope and makes this option incorrect. We cannot be 100% sure that those departments used to be run by men.
C - We do not know whether they are 'similar' or not.
D - 'additional responsibilities' are in other departments. Not speaking at industry conferences.
The passage also does not mention anything about "women's organizations".
E - We cannot infer anything about their importance.

BillyZ · Answer

The question asks us to select the answer choice that best describes the structure of the passage. In order to answer this question, it is useful to identify the topic sentences and summarize each paragraph of the passage:

Paragraph 1 : The recruitment and development of talent is a growing priority for many organizations. 
 Paragraph 2 : This change benefits women, as women run many Human Resources departments.
 Paragraph 3 : Women have benefited from the emphasis on talent development in a number of ways.

The correct answer choice will reflect this organization.

(A) One could reasonably describe the increased emphasis on talent development and recruitment as “an innovative idea.” However, the first paragraph does not “explain” this idea, as the idea is relatively self-explanatory; the first paragraph instead introduces the change and provides background information. Also, the remainder of the passage does not “list” results, and there is no indication that the impacts resulting from the increased emphasis on talent development and recruitment are “unexpected.”

(B) It might be possible to describe the increased emphasis on talent development and recruitment within many organizations as “a new theory.” However, the remainder of the passage does not present evidence to support this theory; rather, the passage explains and explores the impacts of the increased emphasis on talent development and recruitment.

(C) It is inaccurate to describe the increased emphasis on talent development and recruitment as a “challenge” to “an established practice,” as one would have to frame the previous lack of emphasis as “an established practice.” Also, the passage does not simply document results; paragraph 2 in its entirety explains why the change is having a particular impact.

(D) CORRECT . The first paragraph does introduce a “recent trend,” that organizations are increasingly attentive to the development and recruitment of talent. The second and third paragraphs explain and examine an impact of this trend, in this case the positive effect on some women professionals.

(E) It is possible to describe the increased emphasis of various organizations on talent development and recruitment as a “change of emphasis.” However, the bulk of the passage discusses the impact on women professionals, who are never identified as “advocates” of this change; rather, they are the beneficiaries of the change.

BillyZ · Answer

The passage mentions the creation of C-level roles such as Chief Talent Officer as an indication that certain organizations are placing a greater emphasis on the recruitment and development of talent. The correct answer choice will reflect this idea.

(A) Though the passage does indicate that a high proportion of HR departments are led by women, it does not imply that any organization with a Chief Talent Officer employs a woman in the position.

(B) The passage states only that HR was historically considered of lower importance and the CTO position indicates that HR has increased in stature since that time.  It does not imply that HR is now considered more important that other departments; the increase in stature could merely bring HR into line with other departments.

(C) CORRECT . The passage does imply that the creation of a role such as Chief Talent Officer or Chief Personnel Officer indicates a greater emphasis on the importance of Human Resources. Organizations that have not created analogous positions implicitly have not matched this emphasis.

(D) Although the passage indicates that effective talent recruitment and development are increasingly regarded as bestowing a competitive advantage, the passage does not suggest that organizations with a Chief Talent Officer actually enjoy a competitive advantage relative to other organizations.

(E) Although an organization with a Chief Talent Officer is presented as emphasizing effective Human Resources, the organization may or may not be attractive to prospective female employees overall. For example, the organization may have a record of poor treatment of women, or it could be in an industry that is unattractive to women for other reasons.

arvind910619 · Answer

4. The tone of the passage suggests that the author regards the changes described in the passage as

(A) overdue redress for issues historically faced by women
(B) a natural result of business and personnel trends
(C) an unfortunate continuation of pervasive misconceptions
(D) a necessary step in the realignment of management
(E) a formidable new impediment to social changes

The passage talks about the changes taking place in industry. Some industries are creating a position for the Chief talent officer. Companies are now focusing more on developing talent. Effects of this change in the industry is that more women have been hired in human resource department. 
The passage also discuss how women are more suitable for HR role. It also talks about how this change has brought more women in HR department and also into other non traditional role.

A is out as nothing is discussed in the passage.
B Correct. The results were because of the natural business practice
C Incorrect. There is no misconception.
D It is not necessary but it is the result of the practice.
E Clearly wrong.

KarishmaB · Answer

Responding to a pm:

2. The passage implies that an organization with a Chief Talent Officer

(A) employs a woman in the position
(B) regards Human Resources as more important than other departments
(C) emphasizes the importance of Human Resources to a greater degree than organizations without such a position
(D) enjoys a competitive advantage relative to other organizations
(E) is attractive to prospective female employees

Note the first few sentences:
"The recruitment and development of talent is a growing priority for many organizations, and is increasingly regarded as an important competitive advantage.  One example of this emphasis on talent development is the creation of so-called ‘C’ level executive roles —Chief Talent or Personnel Officer—that represent the interests of the Human Resources department."

So CTO shows an emphasis on talent development. It represents the interests of the HR dept. This is what option (C) says.

(D) enjoys a competitive advantage relative to other organizations
Note that recruitment and development of talent is regarded as a competitive advantage. Do companies who have CTOs actually enjoy a competitive advantage? We don't know. Appointing CTOs is an example of increased emphasis on HR, on recruitment and development.

willacethis · Answer

Hi, in question 4, I don't understand how the result is "natural". Can someone explain? Thanks!

KarishmaB · Answer

Question 4 says that the observed changes are a result of business and personnel trends.

The recruitment and development of talent is increasingly regarded as an important competitive advantage. This has brought HR into focus. HR is often run by women. As these traits are considered core to the functioning of effective Human Resources personnel, the advancement of women within HR departments has been routine and that, in turn, has attracted more women... etc
It's all a natural progression due to business and personnel trends. The changes are not being forced on organisations. Neither are the organisations making these changes consciously. The changes are just natural outcome.

jabhatta2 · Answer

Hi  VeritasKarishma  - Why not D for question 4 ?

--If promoting talent brings about a competitive advantage -- it almost seems "necessary" for promote the role of HR

KarishmaB · Answer

Change - recruitment and development of talent is a growing priority for many organizations.
So HR gaining importance.
...
This change has had an important beneficiary—women.
Women are naturally suited to HR and are hence gaining importance. 
...

The tone of the passage suggests that the author regards the changes described in the passage as

(B) a natural result of business and personnel trends
Right. Businesses did not go out of their way to give more imp to women. They got it because they dept became important.

(D) a necessary step in the realignment of management
No where does it say that highlighting women was necessary. That realignment of management was needed and for that women needed to take more important roles. It just all happened organically.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

6. The passage suggests that all of the following contribute to the relatively high proportion of female heads of Human Resources departments EXCEPT:

Explanation

A.  is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that the perception of women as nurturing and service-oriented has contributed to their advancement within Human Resources departments. Therefore, this perception does contribute to the relatively high proportion of female heads of HR departments.

B.  is incorrect because the passage mentions that the advancement of women within HR departments has been routine, indicating that this perception does contribute to the relatively high proportion of female heads of HR departments.

C.  is incorrect because the passage highlights that the lifestyle of workers in HR departments is often less demanding in terms of hours and weekends worked, which is appealing to many women with children.

D.  is incorrect because it directly addresses the proportion of women working in HR departments, which is not mentioned in the passage as a contributing factor to the relatively high proportion of female heads of HR departments. Instead, the passage focuses on perceptions and priorities related to talent development and the characteristics associated with HR roles.

E.   is correct because the passage does not explicitly state that the increasing visibility of women at industry conferences contributes to the relatively high proportion of female heads of HR departments. While it does mention that more female executives have been asked to represent their organizations at such conferences, the passage does not link this directly to the prevalence of female heads of HR departments. Therefore, this option is the odd one out as it does not align with the passage's discussion of factors contributing to the high proportion of female HR heads.

Answer: E

VerbalBot · Answer

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