Lesson: Critical/Logical Reasoning - 27t01

Putting It All Together

Now try this in-format Inference question.

Techniques to increase productivity in the performance of discrete tasks, by requiring less human labor in each step of the production process, are widely utilized. Consultants on productivity enhancement point out, however, that although these techniques achieve their specific goal, they are not without drawbacks. They often instill enough resentment in the workforce eventually to lead to a slowdown in the production process as a whole.

Which of the following can be reasonably inferred from the statements above?

	Productivity enhancement techniques do not attain their intended purposes and should not be employed in the workplace.
	The fact that productivity enhancement techniques are so widely employed has led to a decline in the ability of American businesses to compete abroad.
	If productivity enhancement consultants continue to utilize these techniques, complete work stoppages will eventually result.
	Ironically, an increase in the productivity of discrete tasks may result in a decrease in the productivity of the whole production process.
	Production managers are dissatisfied with the efforts that productivity enhancement consultants have made to increase productivity.

Countinue

Choice (D) is a nice paraphrase of the author's argument: while some techniques can improve productivity on discrete tasks, they may ultimately lead to a slowdown in the production process as a whole.

Many times, the correct answer to an Inference question will be an almost exact paraphrase of the argument. Always try to stay close to the terms of the argument; be careful not to try to infer too much.