Question

Graphic imageA graph titled 'Changes in Employment, by Industry' is shown. Beneath the graph, the source is identified as the Statistical Abstract of the United States. The horizontal axis is labeled 'Year'. This axis begins at 1986 and has markings at 1996 and 2006, which is marked with an asterisk. Below the graph, an asterisk appears with the label 'Projected'. The vertical axis is labelled 'Number of employees (in millions)'. This axis begins at zeros and extends to 120 with markings on the axis at multiples of 30. A dark grey horizontal line passes through lighter grey dots corresponding to the years 1986, 1996, and 2006. Each of the dots is positioned slightly below the 30. A label attached to this horizontal line reads 'Goods-producing'. A second set of points for each of the years are similarly connected. For these points, the dot for the year 1986 appears between 60 and 90, slightly closer to 60, on the vertical axis. The dot representing 1996 appears just above 90, and the 2006 value appears between 90 and 120, slightly closer to 120. These connected points are labeled 'Service-producing'.
What has happened to employment since 1986, according to the graph?

Answer 1

Since 1986, it has increased every decade. The points in 1986 were between 60 and 90 million employees. It increased to over 90 million 10 years later, in 2006, and it reached up to 90 and 120 million employees.