Which one of the following statements would most appropriately continue the discussion at the end of the passage?

SamA on October 29, 2019

Hello @dace,

In order to continue the discussion, we don't want to make a dramatic departure from what was previously discussed in the passage. We probably don't want to introduce new topics. Rather, we want an answer choice that fits the author's tone and purpose. Let's go through the answer choices.

The last two paragraphs discuss the disadvantages that women face in the workforce, and the difficult choices that they must make.

A. The passage ends with a prediction for the future. As long as the labor market remains hostile to parents, and childcare is seen as primarily a woman's responsibility, then women will continue to be disadvantaged. It makes sense that, if these trends continue, men will have advantages over women in the workplace and job market. The author has already established a difference between the problems faced by men and women. This is a good continuation of that.

B. Placing the blame on married men seems to be a departure from the rest of the passage. The author never blames these men, but rather the social norms for women and a labor force that is not friendly to parenthood.

C. This contradicts the last statement made by the author. This will not happen so long as women are at a disadvantage in the job market. For this type of question, the author is not going to change opinions in the last sentence.

D. The author acknowledges in paragraph two that there are single fathers. They would still face the problems that were described in the first paragraph. It is not a particularly advantageous position.

E. "Institutions that favor men over women" sounds a bit too strong for the author's tone. Also, the author never guarantees that this will happen. The last sentence of the passage is conditional, implying that we have the option of changing these problematic trends.

dace on October 30, 2019

@SamA, thank you very much. This was very helpful.