Statement: The average family income in the metros has increased today as compared to earlier, as in most families these days husbands and wives both are working. Which of the following inferences cannot be drawn from the above statement?

The statement tells us that (i) Family income has increased in metro areas.,and (ii) A key reason is that both spouses (husbands and wives) are working now, which was less common earlier.

Now we look at each statement individually: 

a) Wives earn more than their husbands today.
This cannot be inferred from the statement.
The statement only says both are working — it does not compare their individual incomes. It says nothing about who earns more, so we cannot draw this conclusion.

b) It was less prevalent for the spouse to work earlier than today.
This can be inferred. The statement says "as in most families these days husbands and wives both are working," implying that earlier, this was less common.

c) The family income level was lower a few years ago.
This is a direct inference , as the statement says income has increased compared to earlier.

d) More husbands and wives are working today as compared to last few years.
This is in line with the statement that "most families these days" have both spouses working, implying an increase compared to the past.

Hence, only statement 1 cannot be inferred, so the correct choice is option A.