Single correct option
The passage below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures its essence.
Economists studying the 'gig economy' initially framed flexible, on-demand work as a straightforward trade-off: workers gained scheduling freedom in exchange for forgoing the stability of traditional employment, such as fixed hours and employer-sponsored benefits. More recent survey data complicates this framing, showing that a substantial share of gig workers take on such work not by preference but because they cannot find stable alternative employment, meaning the 'freedom' they report may partly reflect resignation to limited options rather than a genuine preference for flexibility over security.
Economists studying the 'gig economy' initially framed flexible, on-demand work as a straightforward trade-off: workers gained scheduling freedom in exchange for forgoing the stability of traditional employment, such as fixed hours and employer-sponsored benefits. More recent survey data complicates this framing, showing that a substantial share of gig workers take on such work not by preference but because they cannot find stable alternative employment, meaning the 'freedom' they report may partly reflect resignation to limited options rather than a genuine preference for flexibility over security.
- A. Gig workers unanimously prefer flexible work over traditional employment, contrary to what economists initially assumed.
- B. The simple trade-off model of gig work, freedom for security, is complicated by evidence that many gig workers lack better alternatives, so their reported preference for flexibility may reflect necessity rather than choice.
- C. Traditional employment offers no real benefits over gig work once scheduling flexibility is taken into account.
- D. Survey data proves that all gig workers are dissatisfied with their current employment situation.
Show answer and solution
Answer: (B) The simple trade-off model of gig work, freedom for security, is complicated by evidence that many gig workers lack better alternatives, so their reported preference for flexibility may reflect necessity rather than choice.
The passage's core move is to complicate the initial 'straightforward trade-off' framing with survey evidence that some workers' 'freedom' reflects lack of alternatives rather than preference. Option 2 captures this exactly. Options 0, 2(other) and 3 all overstate with absolutes ('unanimously', 'no real benefits', 'proves...all') not supported by 'a substantial share.'
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