Question

average hours worked per person per year in 1950 and 2017
country 1950 2017 change in hours percent change in hours
united kingdom 2,184 1,670 -514 -24%
australia 2,178 1,731 -447 -21%
germany 2,427 1,354 -1,074 -44%
mexico 2,432 2,255 -177 -7%
a student in an economics course is examining the decline since 1950 in average hours worked per person per year in various nations due to both increased productivity and the adoption of policies that limit working hours. the first task in this investigation is to determine how the decline in the united kingdom compares to that in other countries. the student finds that
which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
a) though the percent decrease in hours worked in the united kingdom was greater than that in germany and mexico, it was less than that in australia.
b) while the number of hours worked rose in the united kingdom from 1950 to 2017, it declined in germany, australia, and mexico.
c) the decline in number of hours worked was greater in the united kingdom than it was in germany, australia, or mexico.
d) though the percent decrease in hours worked in the united kingdom was less than that in germany, it was greater than that in australia and mexico.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option using data from the table.
• For A, percent decrease in UK is - 24%, in Germany - 44%, in Mexico - 7% and in Australia - 21%. So A is incorrect.
• For B, hours worked declined in UK from 1950 - 2017, not rose, so B is incorrect.
• For C, decline in hours in UK is - 514, in Germany - 1074, so C is incorrect.
• For D, percent decrease in UK (-24%) is less than in Germany (-44%) and greater than in Australia (-21%) and Mexico (-7%).

Answer:

D. though the percent decrease in hours worked in the United Kingdom was less than that in Germany, it was greater than that in Australia and Mexico.