Fill each of the numbered blanks in the following passage. Use only one word in each space

In the United States, the gender earnings ratio suggests that there has been an increase in women's earnings (1) ___________ to men. Men’s plateau in earnings began after the 1970s, allowing for the increase in women's wages to close the ratio between incomes. Despite the smaller ratio between men and women's wages, disparity still exists. Census data suggests that women's earnings are 71 percent of men's (2) ______________ in 1999.

As women (3)____________the workforce in larger numbers since the 1960s, occupations have become segregated based on the level of femininity or masculinity associated with each occupation. Census data suggests that some occupations have become more gender integrated (mail carriers, bartenders, bus drivers, and real estate agents). In other areas, however, the reverse is true: occupations such as teachers, nurses, secretaries, and librarians have become female-dominated while (4)__________ including architects, electrical engineers, and airplane pilots remain predominately male in composition. Women seem to occupy jobs in the (5) ________ sector at higher rates then men. Women's overrepresentation in these jobs as opposed to jobs that require managerial work acts as a reinforcement of women and men into traditional (6) ______ role that might influence persisting gender inequality.

(1) __________

• A. 
  comparing
• B. 
  comparison
• C. 
  compared
• D. 
  compares