passage 1/63(Q2)

happycindy79

why answer D is not right? thank

2.     The passage supplies information that would answer which of the following questions?

(A) What federal agencies have set percentage goals for the use of minority-owned businesses in public works contracts?

(B) To which government agencies must businesses awarded federal contracts report their efforts to find minority subcontractors?

(C) How widespread is the use of minority-owned concerns as “fronts” by White backers seeking to obtain subcontracts?

(D) How many more minority-owned businesses were there in 1977 than in 1972?（E）

(E) What is one set of conditions under which a small business might find itself financially overextended?

yulin115

Can you please also post the whole passage here in order for others to discuss? Thanks.

happycindy79

Corporate response appears to have been substantial. According to figures collected in 1977, the total of corporate contracts with minority businesses rose from $77 million in 1972 to $1.1 billion in 1977. The projected total of corporate contracts with minority businesses for the early 1980’s is estimated to be over 53 billion per year with no letup anticipated in the next decade. Promising as it is for minority businesses, this increased patronage poses dangers for them, too. First, minority firms risk expanding too fast and overextending themselves financially, since most are small concerns and, unlike large businesses, they often need to make substantial investments in new plants, staff, equipment, and the like in order to perform work subcontracted to them. If, thereafter, their subcontracts are for some reason reduced, such firms can face potentially crippling fixed expenses. The world of corporate purchasing can be frustrating for small entrepreneurs who get requests for elaborate formal estimates and bids. Both consume valuable time and resources, and a small company’s efforts must soon result in orders, or both the morale and the financial health of the business will suffer.

rakesun

文中确实没有说minority-owned businesses 在1977年比1972年多多少啊,没有具体的数字啊???

happycindy79

"the total of corporate contracts with minority businesses rose from $77 million in 1972 to $1.1 billion in 1977" could this sentence give the information? or Minority businesses is not equal to Minority-owned business?

thanks so much

rakesun

红字部分，说的是签的合同多了，签的合同数可不等于少数族裔拥有的企业数啊.