Question: Which of the following best completes the passage below?
A primary factor in perpetuating the low salaries of women workers has been their segregation in the so-called pink-collar occupations, such as nursing, teaching, library science, and secretarial work. Partly because these jobs have traditionally been held by women, their salary levels have been depressed, and, despite increased attempts to unionize these workers in recent years, their pay continues to lag. Moreover, although a large percentage of women than ever before are now entering and remaining in the job market, most continue to gravitate toward the pink-collar fields, despite the lower salaries. It seems clear, therefore, that if the average salaries of women workers are to approach those of men, ______
(A) labor unions must redouble their efforts to improve the lot of working women
(B) society’s perception of pink-collar jobs as less important and less demanding than other jobs must be changed
(C) more men must be encouraged to enter fields traditionally occupied by women
(D) the number of jobs in the pink-collar fields relative to the size of the work force as a whole must be markedly increased
(E) more women must enter occupations other than those traditionally reserved for them
Correct Answer: E
Explanation: The argument of the passage claims that the factor responsible for the low salaries of women workers has been their segregation in pink-collar occupations. These pink-collar occupations include teaching, nursing, library science and secretarial work. These pink-collared occupations are specifically held by women though their salaries have been decreased. The passage suggests that the need for pink-collar jobs seems to be not less as many and many women are entering this field. The passage asks if the average salaries of women are to approach those of men, then as per the argument women should enter into the industries ruled by men. The answer choice E is right in that sense since it indicates diversifying the occupations that are available for women. This will enhance the average salary of women workers. Therefore, option E is the correct answer choice. Let’s examine the other options.
Option A
The argument of the passage depicts that the prime factor for the low salaries of women workers has been their segregation in pink-collar occupations. These pink-collar occupations include teaching, nursing, library science and secretarial work. These pink-collared occupations are specifically held by women though their salaries have been decreased. The passage suggests that in spite of increased attempts to organize women workers at the current time, their salary continues to weaken. This answer choice A depicts that labor unions need to increase their endeavours to improve the number of working women. However, there lies no logic to acknowledge the increased efforts of the labor unions would create any difference. The labor unions need to improve the salary levels of women workers instead of improving their lot of women. Hence, option A is the incorrect answer and thereby gets eliminated.
Option B
The answer choice B states that the perception of society that pink-collar jobs are less necessary and less demanding than other jobs must be changed. It depicts that even if the perception of society is altered towards the pink collar occupations, the salary of the women workers will not alter. The argument of the passage does not give any indication about the change in attitude that would lead to enhancing the salary of women. Hence the answer choice is not in line with the reasoning. Hence, option B is the incorrect answer choice since it does not satisfy the argument of the passage. Therefore option B gets eliminated.
Option C
The passage suggests that the need for pink-collar jobs seems to be not less as many and many women are entering this field. The passage asks if the average salaries of women are to approach those of men, then as per the argument women should enter into the industries ruled by men. However, answer choice C indicates that more men need to be encouraged to enter the pink-collar jobs traditionally ruled by women. Hence, this answer choice is incorrect since it does not satisfy the argument of the passage. Here the passage is not concerned with the working of more men in the pink collar jobs. The passage does not give an indication that more men working in such fields would lead to an increase in the average salary of women workers. The passage clearly depicts that the prime factor for the low salaries of women workers has been their segregation in pink-collar occupations. Hence, option C is irrelevant and thereby gets eliminated.
Option D
The passage asks if the average salaries of women are to approach those of men, then as per the argument women should enter into the industries ruled by men. This indicates the reason that will help to enhance the average salary of the women workers. The answer choice D states that the number of pink-collar jobs must be increased relative to the size of the workforce as a whole. This illustrates the fact that an increase in the number of jobs in the pink-collar fields will tend to decrease the salaries of women workers. Hence, option D is not the correct answer choice, since it does not satisfy the argument of the passage. Hence, it is irrelevant and thereby gets eliminated.
“A primary factor in perpetuating the low salaries of women workers”- is a GMAT critical reasoning topic of the GMAT exam. This topic has been taken from the book “GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test Exam Practice Questions & Dumps”. This GMAT critical comes with five options and candidates are asked to choose the one which is correct. GMAT critical reasoning questions are designed to test the logical and analytical skills of the candidates.
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