The gap in average annual salaries between workers with university degrees and those without such degrees tripled from 1990 to 2000. Some experts suggest that heightened demand from companies for degree-holding employees led to this increase in salaries.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously challenges the explanation provided above?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

(A) Throughout the 1990s, a rising number of university graduates, unable to secure jobs that required their degrees, accepted lower-skilled positions.

Correct

(B) The overall workforce age increased moderately during the 1990s.

(D) Between 1990 and 2000, the salary difference between employees with master's degrees and those with bachelor's degrees also grew.

(E) During the 1990s, there were individuals without university degrees who earned salaries similar to the highest salaries of degree-holding employees.

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Explanation

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Official Explanation

Official

To determine which option most seriously undermines the explanation that increased competition for degree-holding employees led to higher salaries, we need to analyze the implications of each statement. Option (A) suggests that many university graduates were taking lower-skilled jobs due to a lack of opportunities, which indicates that the demand for…

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Comments

PusanJan 10, 2025

thanks for the answer

PriyanshuAug 16, 2024

finally understood this

JahnaviOct 4, 2024

Great!

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.