thinktank wrote:
For each of the past two years, major department stores have reported a nearly 50% increase in their sales of men's clothing manufactured by Zachary, Inc., a result that is all the more surprising because the sales of most other brands of men's clothing have been depressed over the same period. Nevertheless, even Zachary, Inc. does not appear to have emerged unscathed from the overall trend: despite the aforementioned increase, Zachary, Inc. has reported a slight decline in overall sales in each of the past two years.
Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the surprising result above?
A) The sales of clothing at Zachary, Inc.'s boutique stores, which, unlike department stores, are owned and operated by the company itself, have held steady over the last two years.
B) Two years ago, Zachary, Inc. began an ambitious new advertising campaign; in each of the last two years, the company's advertising department has overspent its planned budget by almost half.
C) Zachary, Inc. is renowned for the quality of its fabrics, and sells large quantities of fabric to other manufacturers of men's clothing.
D) Zachary, Inc. formerly manufactured leather accessories and women's clothing in addition to men's clothing, but, for the past three years, the company has produced only men's clothing.
E) In the last two years, the percentage of Zachary, Inc.'s clothing sold by department stores at discounted prices has been unusually high, a result that analysts have blamed on the sluggish economy.
+1 if u got it right
For Resolve the Paradox questions, we must select an answer that can explain both sides of the situation, not only one side. That's the KEY.
Before solving this question, please note that there are two types of answers ALWAYS are incorrect:
1. Explain only one side of the paradox.
2. Just explain the similarities and differences, e.g. if the stimulus contains a paradox where two items are similar, then an answer choice explains a difference between the two cannot be correct.
APPLY:The logic here is: men clothing manufactured by Zachary increased 50%, but overall sales of Zachary slightly decreased. You see the gap?
OVERALL Sales do not mean ONLY men clothing. If you see an answer that shows Zachary men clothing sales increased, but sales of Zachary's products OTHER THAN men clothing decreased. That would be the answer. Because
OVERALL SALES = MEN CLOTHING + OTHER PRODUCTS. Only men clothing sales increased is not enough to conclude Overall sales increased.
CONSIDER EACH ANSWERS:A) The sales of clothing at Zachary, Inc.'s boutique stores, which, unlike department stores, are owned and operated by the company itself, have held steady over the last two years.
- WRONG - Out of scope B) Two years ago, Zachary, Inc. began an ambitious new advertising campaign; in each of the last two years, the company's advertising department has overspent its planned budget by almost half.
- WRONG - Out of scope C) Zachary, Inc. is renowned for the quality of its fabrics, and sells large quantities of fabric to other manufacturers of men's clothing.
- CORRECT - Because Zachary's fabric is famous, so many people want to buy men clothing manufactured by the company --> Men clothing sales increased. Besides men clothing, Zachary also sells fabrics to other manufactures. However, other manufactures sales decreased because of weak economy (mentioned in the stimulus), making Zachary's overall sales slightly decreased. Because they are also Zachary's customers. This is the answer! D) Zachary, Inc. formerly manufactured leather accessories and women's clothing in addition to men's clothing, but, for the past three years, the company has produced only men's clothing.
- WRONG - Out of scope. E) In the last two years, the percentage of Zachary, Inc.'s clothing sold by department stores at discounted prices has been unusually high, a result that analysts have blamed on the sluggish economy.
- WRONG - Please review my note above, the answer that explains only one side is ALWAYS incorrect. E only explains why men clothing sales of Zachary increased, but doesn't explain why Zachary's overall sales decreased. That cannot be the answer.I hope it helps a little bit.
close
07 Apr 2013, 07:34
55%
(02:23)
wrong 
