High School

\[
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
\begin{tabular}{l}
Processing \\
Machine \\
Operators
\end{tabular}
& 129.6 & 91.0 & -38.6 & [tex]$-29.8$[/tex] & \$53,090 \\
\hline
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
& 596.8 & 567.6 & [tex]$-29.2$[/tex] & [tex]$-4.9$[/tex] & \$18,670 \\
\hline
Word Processors and Typists
& 104.4 & 78.2 & [tex]$-26.2$[/tex] & [tex]$-25.1$[/tex] & \$35,270 \\
\hline
Postal Service Clerks
& 66.9 & 45.7 & -21.3 & [tex]$-31.8$[/tex] & \$53,090 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\]

Which conclusion is best supported by the data in the table?

A. Acquiring a job in the postal service may be difficult in the future.

B. A farming job is more secure than a job as a home health aide.

C. The field of data entry will not lose as many jobs as predicted.

D. The number of expected jobs in the postal service is predicted to increase by 2022.

Answer :

To draw a conclusion from the data presented in the table, let's analyze the job losses for each profession listed:

1. Processing Machine Operators: The change in jobs is -38.6.
2. Farmworkers and Laborers: The change in jobs is -29.2.
3. Word Processors and Typists: The change in jobs is -26.2.
4. Postal Service Clerks: The change in jobs is -21.3.

The key point here is that a smaller negative number means there is less job loss, indicating a relatively more secure job compared to larger negative numbers.

By comparing these job losses:
- Processing Machine Operators have the largest decrease in jobs with -38.6.
- Farmworkers and Laborers see a decrease of -29.2.
- Word Processors and Typists see a decrease of -26.2.
- Postal Service Clerks see the smallest decrease of -21.3.

The conclusion that can be drawn from this data is that jobs in the postal service are likely more secure compared to the other professions listed. This is because the postal service clerks have the smallest decrease in jobs, indicating they are less affected by job loss compared to the other professions. Therefore, a job in the postal service might be viewed as more stable or secure relative to the other fields mentioned.