Second Chances | Business RC

Have you ever wondered what happens to young workers who lost their jobs during a global crisis and then managed to find work again? Does returning to the workforce mean returning to the same opportunities and security as before? These easy RC passages explore the complex reality of post-pandemic employment recovery, challenging assumptions about economic resilience while revealing how temporary disruptions can create lasting changes in career prospects and job quality for an entire generation.

Read these easy RC passage(s) in Business, Economy, and Governance and answer the question(s) that follows. You can choose the GMAT style Reading Passage and the question or the GRE RC variant and answer the GRE-style question. Even better, you could solve both.

GMAT RC | Easy Business Passage | ~230 words

The global pandemic fundamentally disrupted traditional employment patterns, particularly affecting young workers who experienced disproportionate job losses during initial lockdowns. As economic restrictions intensified in early 2020, businesses across industries eliminated positions, with entry-level and temporary roles—typically filled by younger workers—bearing the brunt of layoffs. This widespread displacement forced many young people to exit the workforce entirely, leading to unprecedented levels of youth unemployment that persisted well into the recovery period.

Consequently, when these displaced workers eventually returned to employment, they encountered a dramatically altered job market where secure, full-time positions had become increasingly scarce. The restructuring of businesses during the pandemic had accelerated existing trends toward flexible staffing models, resulting in a proliferation of temporary contracts, zero-hours arrangements, and gig economy roles. Research indicates that approximately one-third of young “returners”—those who regained employment after pandemic-related job loss—now work in precarious positions that offer minimal job security or benefits.

This shift toward insecure employment has created long-term consequences for an entire generation of workers. Many young people who previously held stable positions now find themselves trapped in cycles of temporary work, unable to build the experience and financial stability necessary for career advancement. The normalization of insecure work arrangements among young people threatens to fundamentally alter expectations about employment security, potentially creating a permanent underclass of workers with limited economic prospects and reduced bargaining power in the labor market.

Question Type: Organization | Question Difficulty: Medium

Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

1. The author presents a problem, analyzes multiple contributing factors, and proposes potential solutions
2. The author introduces an initial event, traces its immediate consequences, and examines its long-term effects
3. The author compares two different employment systems and evaluates their relative effectiveness
4. The author defines a phenomenon, provides statistical evidence, and concludes with expert recommendations
5. The author describes a current situation, explores historical precedents, and predicts future developments

GRE Practice | Easy Passage | ~200 words

Recent research illuminates the precarious nature of post-pandemic youth employment recovery, challenging optimistic narratives about labor market resilience. A comprehensive study examining employment trajectories reveals that, in the country, approximately 50,000 men under 24 remain economically inactive, while a significant proportion of those who have returned to work occupy roles with diminished job security. The data suggests that pandemic-induced disruptions have fundamentally altered career prospects for an entire cohort.

Empirical evidence substantiates concerns about the quality of available positions. Surveys indicate that young workers who regained employment after pandemic-related losses frequently accept roles with inferior conditions compared to their pre-pandemic positions—including reduced hours, temporary contracts, and limited advancement opportunities. This phenomenon contradicts earlier predictions that economic recovery would restore employment to previous standards.

Critics argue that these findings reflect broader structural changes rather than temporary pandemic effects. The proliferation of gig economy roles and flexible work arrangements predates COVID-19, suggesting that current employment patterns may represent an acceleration of existing trends rather than entirely novel developments. Nevertheless, the concentration of insecure work among young “returners” indicates that pandemic disruptions have disproportionately affected this demographic, potentially creating lasting generational disparities in economic security and career advancement prospects.

Question Type: Main Idea | Question Difficulty: Medium

What is the main idea of the passage?

1. The pandemic created temporary employment disruptions that have since been resolved through successful economic recovery programs
2. Economic inactivity among young men represents the most significant challenge in post-pandemic labor market recovery
3. The proliferation of gig economy roles predating COVID-19 demonstrates that current employment trends are unrelated to the pandemic
4. Young workers’ return to employment after the pandemic has been characterized by a decline in job quality and security, suggesting lasting economic impacts
5. Survey data fails to provide reliable evidence about the true nature of post-pandemic employment patterns among young workers