Practice Test: Reading Comprehension (RC) - 76 | 100 RCs for GMAT PDF Download

Japanese and United States automakers differ in their approach to production processes.

Japanese automakers have perfected the use of single-function equipment.

Japanese automakers invest more capital per employee than do United States automakers.

United States-owned factories abroad have higher production levels than do Japanese owned plants in the United States.

Japanese automakers have benefited from the cultural heritage of their workers.

Their productivity levels did not equal those of United States automobile workers until the late seventies.

Their high efficiency levels are a direct result of cultural influences.

They operate component-specific machinery.

They are trained to do more than one job.

They produce larger lots of cars than do workers in United States factories.

present the major steps of a process

clarify an ambiguity

chronicle a dispute

correct misconceptions

defend an accepted approach

The need to manufacture flexible machinery and equipment

The need to store extra components not required for immediate use

The need for expensive training programs for workers, which emphasize the development of facility in several production jobs

The need to alter conventional mass-production processes

The need to increase the investment per vehicle in order to achieve high productivity levels

Prior to the 1960’s, the productivity levels of the top Japanese automakers were exceeded by those of United States automakers.

The culture of a country has a large effect on the productivity levels of its automakers.

During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, productivity levels were comparable in Japan and the United States.

The greater the number of cars that are produced in a single lot, the higher a plant’s productivity level.

The amount of capital investment made by automobile manufacturers in their factories determines the level of productivity.

The efficiency levels of the Japanese automakers will decline if they become less flexible in their approach to production.

Japanese automakers productivity levels double during the late 1990’s.

United States automakers will originate new production processes before Japanese automakers do.

Japanese automakers will hire fewer workers than will United States automakers because each worker is required to perform several jobs.

Japanese automakers will spend less on equipment repairs than will United States automakers because Japanese equipment can be easily altered.

The equipment used in Japanese automobile plants would be different from the equipment used in United States plants.

Japanese workers would be trained to do several different production jobs.

Culture would not have an influence on the productivity levels of workers.

The workers in Japanese-run plants would have higher productivity levels regardless of where they were located.

The production levels of Japanese-run plants located in the United States would be equal to those of plants run by United States companies.

A thesis is presented and supporting examples are provided.

Opposing views are presented, classified, and then reconciled.

A fact is stated, and an explanation is advanced and then refuted.

A theory is proposed, considered, and then amended.

An opinion is presented, qualified, and then reaffirmed.