Automation refers to the introduction of electronic control and automatic operation of productive machinery. It reduces the huma

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问题     Automation refers to the introduction of electronic control and automatic operation of productive machinery. It reduces the human factors, mental and physical, in production, and is designed to make possible the manufacture of more goods with fewer workers. The development of automation in American industry has been called the "Second Industrial Revolution".
    Labor’s concern over automation arises from uncertainty about its effects on employment, and fears of major changes in jobs.  In the main, labor has taken the view that resistance to technological change is futile. In the long run, the result of automation may well be an increase in employment, since it is expected that vast industries will grow up around manufacturing, maintaining and repairing automation equipment. Unquestionably, however, there will be major shifts in jobs within plants, and displacement of labor from one industry to another. The interest of labor lies in bringing about this transition with a minimum of inconvenience and distress to workers involved. Also, union spokesmen emphasize that the benefit of the increased production and lower costs made possible by automation should be shared by workers in the form of higher wages, more leisure, and improved living standards.
    To protect the interests of their members in the era of automation, unions have adopted a number of new policies. One of these is the promotion of supplementary unemployment benefits plans. It is emphasized that since the employer involved in a SUB plan has a direct financial stake in preventing unemployment, he will have a strong incentive for planning new installations so as to cause the least possible disruption in jobs and job assignments. Some unions are working for dismissal pay agreements, requiring that permanently laid off workers be paid a sum of money based on length of service. Another approach is the idea of the "improvement factor", which calls for wage increases based on increases in productivity. It is probable, however, that labor will rely mainly on reduction in working hours in order to gain a full share in the fruits of automation.
Which of the following can best sum up the passage?

选项 A、Advantages and disadvantages of automation.
B、Labor and the effect of automation.
C、Unemployment benefits plans and automation.
D、Social benefits of automation.

答案B

解析 整篇文章都在讲述自动化带来的结果及劳工们对自动化的反应,而C项“失业救济计划与自动化”和D项“自动化的社会利益”只是文章的一部分内容,A项“自动化的利与弊”在文中未提及,只有B项“劳工和自动化的影响”与文意相符。故选B)。
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