The following questions refer to the graph below.

Source: Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics
Union Membership Rates
-Which of the following developments of the twenty-first century was caused by the same economic forces which contributed to the trend shown in the graph?
A) Improvements in digital communications
B) More aggressive reforms of the financial system
C) Congressional legislation supporting free trade agreements
D) The growth of service-sector employment

Question

The following questions refer to the graph below.
  
Source: Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics
Union Membership Rates
-Which of the following developments of the twenty-first century was caused by the same economic forces which contributed to the trend shown in the graph?
A) Improvements in digital communications 
B) More aggressive reforms of the financial system 
C) Congressional legislation supporting free trade agreements 
D) The growth of service-sector employment

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The trend shown in the graph reflects a decline in union membership rates, which can be attributed to the growth of service-sector employment. As manufacturing jobs have declined, service-sector jobs have increased, and these industries tend to have lower rates of unionization. The other options listed - improvements in digital communications, more aggressive reforms of the financial system, and Congressional legislation supporting free trade agreements - may have had some impact on the economy, but are not directly related to the trend shown in the graph.

The Following Questions Refer to the Graph Below