The personal computer has been hailed as one of the greatest invention

Question

The personal computer has been hailed as one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century. Business people can produce documents, track purchases and inventory, and access
files all at the click of a mouse. And yet, people are no more productive today than they were in the days of typewriters, adding machines, and file cabinets.

Which of the following, if true, best explains the discrepancy outlined above?
A. It takes longer to teach a person how to use a computer than it does to teach a person how to use a typewriter.
B. Studies show that today’s workers perform more redundant and unnecessary tasks than did workers of previous generations.
C. Some industries still use adding machines and file cabinets, as well as computers.
D. There are many jobs in the workplace that will never be able to be performed by a computer.
E. Workers today work, on average, the same number of hours per week as did workers from earlier generations.

Source: McGraw Hill GMAT

abhimahna · Answer

The argument is saying New technology has come but still productivity has not increased.

We need to find out the reason for the same.

A. It takes longer to teach a person how to use a computer than it does to teach a person how to use a typewriter.  : SO, what? Even if it takes longer, they should have learnt by now and become more productive. 
B. Studies show that today’s workers perform more redundant and unnecessary tasks than did workers of previous generations.  : Ok, so they are doing unnecessary work. Correct 
C. Some industries still use adding machines and file cabinets, as well as computers.  : ok, what about others? 
D. There are many jobs in the workplace that will never be able to be performed by a computer.  : What about the rest? 
E. Workers today work, on average, the same number of hours per week as did workers from earlier generations.  Ok, so they have cleared this thing also. Then why the hell productivity not increasing?

eddy8700 · Answer

The personal computer has been hailed as one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century. Business people can produce documents, track purchases and inventory, and access
files all at the click of a mouse. And yet, people are no more productive today than they were in the days of typewriters, adding machines, and file cabinets.

Which of the following, if true, best explains the discrepancy outlined above?
A. It takes longer to teach a person how to use a computer than it does to teach a person how to use a typewriter.
B. Studies show that today’s workers perform more redundant and unnecessary tasks than did workers of previous generations.
C. Some industries still use adding machines and file cabinets, as well as computers.
D. There are many jobs in the workplace that will never be able to be performed by a computer.
E. Workers today work, on average, the same number of hours per week as did workers from earlier generations.

Eliminate C
Out of scope adding machines has nothing to do with productivity
D and E are also out of scope Not relevant here

In A
Even if it takes longer to teach a person to use a computer once learned he can expedite the process .So this is also out

B is Correct and is the OA
Workers perform redundant task that is why the productivity is low not because of the computer.

imnareshk · Answer

The personal computer has been hailed as one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century. Business people can produce documents, track purchases and inventory, and access
files all at the click of a mouse. And yet, people are no more productive today than they were in the days of typewriters, adding machines, and file cabinets.

Which of the following, if true, best explains the discrepancy outlined above?
A. It takes longer to teach a person how to use a computer than it does to teach a person how to use a typewriter. 
B. Studies show that today’s workers perform more redundant and unnecessary tasks than did workers of previous generations.
C. Some industries still use adding machines and file cabinets, as well as computers.
D. There are many jobs in the workplace that will never be able to be performed by a computer.
E. Workers today work, on average, the same number of hours per week as did workers from earlier generations.

The Descrepancy here is better technology yet less productivity.

So by options:
A : - After the person is taught to use computer, the productivity should increase. But it doesnt say so. Incorrect.
B:- Today's workers perform more redundant and unnecessary tasks. In simple language wastes time, so less productivity - Correct.
C:- Doesnt speak about productivity.
D:- For the tasks that can be performed is the productivity higher - No point. - Incorrect
E: - Does the productivity increase - No point - Incorrect

Ans. B.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The personal computer has been hailed as one of the greatest invention

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