From 2004 to 2005, Unlimited Postal Service had the highest on-time overnight delivery rate of the six major delivery companies in the country. From 2005 to 2006, however, Unlimited Postal Service had the lowest on-time overnight delivery rate of the six major delivery companies. The on-time overnight delivery ranking of the other five companies relative to each other remained unchanged.

Which of the following, if true, would most contribute to an explanation of the facts above?

In early 2005, Unlimited Postal Service stopped taking overnight deliveries after 1:00 PM to ensure that the deliveries would be made according to schedule.

In a drastic cost-cutting measure, Unlimited Postal Service laid off 10 percent of its employees in early 2005.

Unlimited Postal Service implemented a new electronic package tracking system in early 2005 in order to improve delivery speed and efficiency.

In response to cuts to their retirement benefits, Unlimited Postal Service's delivery personnel went on a company-wide strike for all of February 2005.

Although all six delivery companies try to keep their overnight deliveries on schedule, increased security measures at many airports increased delays in deliveries originating in the cities those airports serve.
Source: Veritas Prep
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Hi Marcab,

Plz justify (B). as IMO these 10% employees can be of any department.Not certainly from delivery department.

Why not A,Had they closed taking orders after 1:00 PM today they will have less orders to be delivered tomorrow,what say??????
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Here is OE
Correct Answer: D

This is an 'explain the paradox' question. The correct answer must explain how Unlimited Postal Service went from first to last in on-time overnight delivery rate, even though the other five companies' relative positions stayed the same. Something drastic must have happened to affect Unlimited Parcel Service that did NOT affect the other companies. Answer choice (D) could explain how Unlimited Parcel Service's on-time delivery rate dropped; its delivery personnel were on strike for an entire month while its competitors were operating as normal. Answers (A) and (C) would actually make the paradox even stronger. Answer (B) is irrelevant; we do not know what type of employees were laid off (it might have been only the legal department, which would not affect deliveries). Answer (E) affected all six companies, so it would not explain how only Unlimited Parcel Service's on-time delivery ranking changed.
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I agree with Carcass,

Dodgy question.
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Former GMAT Pill student, now on staff. Used GMATPILL OG 12 and nothing else: 770 (48,48) & 6.0



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