Japanese firms have achieved the highest levels of manufacturing efficiency in the world automobile2 industry. Some observers of Japan have assumed that Japanese firms use the same manufacturing equipment and techniques as United States firms but have bene- fited from the unique characteristics of Japanese employees and the Japanese culture. However, if this were true, then one would expect Japanese auto1 plants in the United States to perform no better than factories run by United States companies. This is not the case, Japanese-run automobile plants located in the United States and staffed by local workers have demonstrated higher levels of productivity when compared with facto- ries owned by United States companies.
Automakers could schedule the production of different components3 or models on single machines, thereby4 eliminating the need to store the buffer5 stocks of extra components that result when specialized6 equipment and workers are kept constantly active.
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
present the major steps of a process
clarify an ambiguity7
chronicle a dispute
correct misconceptions
defend an accepted approach
2. The author suggests that if the observers of Japan mentioned in line 3 were correct, which of the following would be the case?
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.
3. Which of the following statements concerning the productivity levels of automakers can be inferred from the passage?
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.
4. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true of Japanese automobile 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 machinery8.
They are trained to do more than one job.
They produce larger lots of cars than do workers in United States factories
5. Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph?
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 amended9.
An opinion is presented, qualified10, and then reaffirmed.
6. It can be inferred from the passage that one problem associated with the production of huge lots of cars is which of the following?
The need to manufacture flexible machinery and equipment
The need to store extra components not required for immediate11 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
7. Which of the following statements is supported by information stated in the passage?
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.
8. With which of the following predictive statement regarding Japanese automakers would the author most likely agree?
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 automakes will originate net 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
