Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs

Question

Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs in logging and wood processing representing a 15 percent decrease in employment in the country’s timber industry. Paradoxically, this loss of jobs occurred even as the amount of wood taken from the forests of Ravonia increased by 10 percent.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Not since the 1950s has the timber industry been Ravonia’s most important industry economically.

(B) Between 1977 and 1987, the total number of acres of timberland in Ravonia fell, while the demand for wood products increased.

(C) Since 1977, a growing proportion of the timber that has been cut in Ravonia has been exported as raw, unprocessed wood.

(D) Since 1977, domestic sales of wood and wood products have increased by more than export sales have increased.

(E) In 1977, overall unemployment in Ravonia was approximately 10 percent; in 1987, Ravonia’s unemployment rate was 15 percent.

Krishh9119 · Answer

Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs in logging and wood processing representing a 15 percent decrease in employment in the country’s timber industry. Paradoxically, this loss of jobs occurred even as the amount of wood taken from the forests of Ravonia increased by 10 percent.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

Given:
1) Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs in logging and wood processing representing a 15 percent decrease in employment in the country’s timber industry
2) Paradoxically, this loss of jobs occurred even as the amount of wood taken from the forests of Ravonia increased by 10 percent.

Paradox: Even though the amount of  wood taken from the forests  of Ravonia increased by 10 percent, There was 15 percent (12000) job losses in  logging  and  wood processing.

(A) Not since the 1950s has the timber industry been Ravonia’s most important industry economically.  Irrelevant

(B) Between 1977 and 1987, the total number of acres of timberland in Ravonia fell, while the demand for wood products increased.  Still does not resolve the paradox as increased processing is required for increased demand in wood products.

(C) Since 1977, a growing proportion of the timber that has been cut in Ravonia has been exported as raw, unprocessed wood. Perfect.  AS we can see, the processing part has lost many jobs due to raw export leading to overall increase in unemployment.
 
(D) Since 1977, domestic sales of wood and wood products have increased by more than export sales have increased.  Irrelevant

(E) In 1977, overall unemployment in Ravonia was approximately 10 percent; in 1987, Ravonia’s unemployment rate was 15 percent.  Irrelevant

Our Answer is C.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

A nice and small paradox question. It may require a second read through the passage but it shouldn't pose too much of a problem to understand. What we have is a situation where employment in the LOGGING AND WOOD PROCESSING...TIMBER INDUSTRY decreased but AMOUNT OF WOOD taken INCREASED by 10 percent. When I read this the first time round, I think I was looking for something to do with automation making it possible to cut more trees.

Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs in logging and wood processing representing a 15 percent decrease in employment in the country’s timber industry. Paradoxically, this loss of jobs occurred even as the amount of wood taken from the forests of Ravonia increased by 10 percent.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Not since the 1950s has the timber industry been Ravonia’s most important industry economically.
Irrelevant. Even if it were important or not important this doesn't resolve the paradox.

(B) Between 1977 and 1987, the total number of acres of timberland in Ravonia fell, while the demand for wood products increased.
I didn't give this much credence, but this answer choice probably tempts test-takers into the Fantasy Story mode of really going too far in trying to make this work as a way to resolve the paradox. I could come up with a story to make this the answer but you should yellow flag this and move on to look for something better.

(C) Since 1977, a growing proportion of the timber that has been cut in Ravonia has been exported as raw, unprocessed wood.
Nice. A clear explanation of how Wood Processing unemployment could fall, but raw timber production as been growing.

(D) Since 1977, domestic sales of wood and wood products have increased by more than export sales have increased.
This doesn't resolve anything. It doesn't even bring into the debate anything about employment.

(E) In 1977, overall unemployment in Ravonia was approximately 10 percent; in 1987, Ravonia’s unemployment rate was 15 percent.
Like (D) this doesn't bring into the debate one of the two factors at play. Suppose all this about employment is true. What does it have to do with wood production?

Some Kudos would be nice!

ayushgarg32 · Answer

Main Point to understand over here was:

1. There were two specific jobs in the wood sector that saw the job loss.
2. Overall there was increase in %age of wood taken from Ravonia,

Gaps: 
1. May be the % of what not defined? So there could be a number game possibility, which would have resolved the issue.
2. The jobs loss might have been because of the process change.

So, Option C was the only option which met the GAP.

lakshya14 · Answer

It says both logging and processing has lost the job, whereas in (c), it only addresses processing decline, as it shows that a growing proportion of timber has been cut therefore not affecting any logging jobs?

Harsh9676 · Answer

Hi  lakshya14

Here is the discrepancy is "Jobs were lost though the timber cut from forests increased"

Choice C resolves the paradox by stating that the timber cut from forests are exported, hence the increase did not impact the jobs positively.

Hope this helps.

Paras96 · Answer

(A) Not since the 1950s has the timber industry been Ravonia’s most important industry economically.
 - This statement provides historical context but doesn't directly address the paradox of increased wood production and decreased employment.

(B) Between 1977 and 1987, the total number of acres of timberland in Ravonia fell, while the demand for wood products increased.
 - This option addresses the paradox by explaining that the decrease in available timberland led to increased wood production (due to higher demand) but fewer jobs in the industry.

(C) Since 1977, a growing proportion of the timber that has been cut in Ravonia has been exported as raw, unprocessed wood.
 - This option directly addresses the paradox. If more timber is being exported as raw wood, it implies reduced wood processing within Ravonia, which can explain the increase in wood production (for export) but the decrease in employment (due to reduced processing activities).

(D) Since 1977, domestic sales of wood and wood products have increased by more than export sales have increased.
 - This option discusses domestic and export sales but doesn't directly explain the paradox of increased wood production and decreased employment.

(E) In 1977, overall unemployment in Ravonia was approximately 10 percent; in 1987, Ravonia’s unemployment rate was 15 percent.
 - This option provides information about overall unemployment rates but doesn't directly address the paradox of the timber industry's job loss despite increased wood production.

Option (C) is the correct answer because it offers a plausible explanation for the paradox by suggesting that the change in the nature of timber exports (exporting raw wood) is leading to the observed employment decrease despite increased wood production. This option directly addresses the paradox by highlighting a significant change in the timber industry's export practices.

unraveled · Answer

Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs in logging and wood processing representing a 15 percent decrease in employment in the country’s timber industry. Paradoxically, this loss of jobs occurred even as the amount of wood taken from the forests of Ravonia increased by 10 percent.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Not since the 1950s has the timber industry been Ravonia’s most important industry economically. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(B) Between 1977 and 1987, the total  number of acres of timberland in Ravonia fell , while the  demand  for wood products  increased . - WRONG. Does not help solve the unemployment aspect nor increase in wood amount.

(C) Since 1977, a  growing proportion of the timber  that has been cut in Ravonia has been exported as raw,  unprocessed wood . - CORRECT. Since it is unprocessed wood processing jobs are lost over this time period.

(D) Since 1977, domestic sales of wood and wood products have  increased by more than export sales  have increased. - WRONG. Out of 100% 40% was domestic and 60% was exports earlier which later became 60% and 40% respectively. 100% can still remain same value or less or more that it had been earlier.

(E) In 1977,  overall unemployment in Ravonia  was approximately 10 percent; in 1987, Ravonia’s unemployment rate  was 15 percent . - WRONG. Overall unemployment rate is irrelevant to solve the paradox. It doesn't helps us understand it may have happened.

Answer C.

Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs

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Between 1977 and 1987, the country of Ravonia lost about 12,000 jobs

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