The incomes of middle- and working-class Americans was dealt a severe blow during the 1980s. (2) A major reason was a decline in industrial jobs. (3) The economy became less devoted to manufacturing goods and more focused on providing services. (4) Many manufacturing jobs, especially in the steel and auto industries, were transferred from the United States to Third World countries. (5) As a result, millions of blue-collar workers in the Midwest and Northeast were stranded. (6) They were forced into much lower-paying jobs with fewer benefits and opportunities for advancement.

The pattern of organization of the selection is

a. definition and example.

 

b. cause and effect.

 

c. comparison and/or contrast.