Official Explanation
1. Which of the following strategies, if employed by a company, would most likely result in the increased revenue mentioned by the author in the first paragraph?
Explanation
The phrase mentioned by the author in the first paragraph indicates that this is a retrieval question. The subject of the question is the strategies that would most likely result in the increased revenue. The task of the question is to determine which strategy was discussed in the first paragraph. In order to answer the question, determine what the passage states about the subject and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text. According to the passage, The effective exploitation of Internet marketing strategies… allows a business to build a larger client base and then leverage that base into increased revenue opportunities. As an example, the passage provides that a business may create an auxiliary website which, under the auspices of providing information or advice, offers links to a sales site. Evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text.
Choice A: No. The idea of repeated dissemination of electronic marketing pieces is both a memory trap and a reversal. The idea is mentioned in the second paragraph [Internet marketing include such obvious negatives as the use of “spam” emails—mass, unfocused solicitations], yet subject of the question is the first paragraph. Also, the author views such strategies as Inappropriate or misguided marketing strategies, making the choice a reversal. Eliminate choice A.
Choice B: Correct. The passage states that businesses should build a larger client base and then leverage that base into increased revenue opportunities and then gives the example of how a business may create an auxiliary website which, under the auspices of providing information or advice, offers links to a sales site. Keep choice B.
Choice C: No. The phrase piggyback onto the existing marketing campaign of a related company is a reversal. The passage states that a business may charge non-competitive companies a fee to allow them to “piggyback” onto an existing marketing campaign, not a related company. Eliminate choice C.
Choice D: No. The idea of researching the use of the most commonly used query words is both a memory trap and a reversal. The idea is mentioned in the last paragraph [researching the use of the most commonly used query words], yet subject of the question is the first paragraph. Also, the author views such strategies as potentially ineffective because the presence of multitudes of companies who have also linked their marketing campaign to the use of such phrases, making the choice a reversal. Eliminate choice D.
Choice E: No. Investing in paper-based marketing initiatives is a reversal. The passage states that effective strategies include the necessary conversions of existing paper-based marketing initiatives to electronic versions. Eliminate choice E.
The correct answer is choice B.
2. Which of the following best describes the function of the first paragraph in relation to the passage as a whole?
Explanation
The phrase describes the function indicates that this is a structure question. The subject of the question is the first paragraph. The task of the question is to determine how the first paragraph relates to the passage as a whole. In order to answer the question, determine how the paragraphs relate to each other and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text. The first paragraph focuses on how the effective exploitation of Internet marketing strategies can create increased revenue opportunities, and then provides example of effective strategies. The second paragraph focuses on the potentially damaging risks associated with ineffective Internet marketing strategies, and shows how a misguided or incomplete marketing strategy will see a potential loss of client base and generate negative word-of-mouth. The final paragraph focuses on Another common shortcoming. Thus, the function of the first paragraph is to discuss the benefits of effective exploitation of Internet marketing strategies, while the following paragraphs focus on the detriments of ineffective exploitation of Internet marketing strategies. Evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text.
Choice A: No. The author’s main thesis is introduced is a memory trap. The author does introduce his thesis, but then the author’s own position is that While the opportunities for increased revenue are abundant, so too are the potentially damaging risks. The author is providing the critique, and is not defended against charges that the thesis is incorrect. Eliminate choice A.
Choice B: No. The phrase exception to a general rule is a reversal. The passage states the One such area that presents myriad opportunities, and pitfalls, for a modern business is that of Internet marketing. The author’s position is that there is potential for both good and bad, so there is no general rule and no exception. Eliminate choice B.
Choice C: No. The phrase recommends is extreme language. The passage states that Internet marketing presents myriad opportunities, but does not recommend any particular course of action. In fact, in the same sentence the author warns that Internet marketing presents myriad pitfalls. Eliminate choice C.
Choice D: Correct. The first paragraph discusses effective exploitation of Internet marketing strategies, and the following paragraphs discuss the alternative of misguided or incomplete marketing strategy. Keep choice D.
Choice E: No. The phrase dismissed as unrealistic is extreme language. The author does state that Internet marketing presents myriad opportunities, and pitfalls. However, the author discusses both possibilities equally and the former is not dismissed as unrealistic. Eliminate choice E.
The correct answer is choice D.
3. Which of the following can be inferred about the use of “intuitive key phrases”?
Explanation
The phrase it can be inferred in the question stem indicates this is an inference question. The subject of the question is the use of “intuitive key phrases”. The task of the question is to determine what the passage states about the use of “intuitive key phrases”. In order to answer the question, determine what the passage states about the subject and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text. According to the passage, One study found that use of “intuitive key phrases,” that is, use of the top five words most often associated with a particular product or service, resulted in a successful “hit,” or link to a specific site, less than 30% of the time. This finding can be explained by the relative paucity of users who actually use such phrases in their query search as well as by the presence of multitudes of companies who have also linked their marketing campaign to the use of such phrases. Evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text.
Choice A: No. The phrase failure to generate a “hit” is extreme language. While use of “intuitive key phrases” can lead to a successful “hit” less than 30% of the time, there are other factors involved. If one of the limiting factors is removed, such as the presence of multitudes of companies who have also linked their marketing campaign to the use of such phrases, then it is possible that the failure rate could be lower than 70%. Eliminate choice A.
Choice B: Correct. The passage states that getting “hits” less than 30% of the time can be explained by… the presence of multitudes of companies who have also linked their marketing campaign to the use of such phrases. Thus, if the business has few competitors in its field then it could potentially generate “hits” from such queries more than 30% of the time. Keep choice B.
Choice C: No. The claim that Such phrases are so designated because of the frequency with which prospective clients employ them is a reversal. The passage states that the number of successful hits is low because of the relative paucity of users who actually use such phrases in their query search. Eliminate choice C.
Choice D: No. The recycled language of the top five may make the choice appealing. However, the passage states that the intuitive key phrases are the top five words most often associated with a particular product or service, and does not discuss the top five companies in a particular industry. Eliminate choice D.
Choice E: No. The phrase optimal revenue for a particular product or service is a memory trap. The passage mentions website design that will optimize product or service exposure, but it does not discuss optimal revenue in relation to intuitive key phrases. Eliminate choice E.
The correct answer is choice B.
4. The primary purpose of the passage is to
Explanation
This is a primary purpose question, as indicated by the phrase primary purpose. The task of the question is to determine why the author wrote the passage. The subject of the question is the passage as a whole. In order to answer the question, determine why the author wrote the passage, then evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which does not match the author’s primary purpose. According to the passage, One such area that presents myriad opportunities, and pitfalls, for a modern business is that of Internet marketing. The first paragraph focuses on how the effective exploitation of Internet marketing strategies can create increased revenue opportunities, and then provides example of effective strategies. The second paragraph focuses on the potentially damaging risks associated with ineffective Internet marketing strategies, and shows how a misguided or incomplete marketing strategy will see a potential loss of client base and generate negative word-of-mouth. The final paragraph focuses on Another common shortcoming. Thus, the primary purpose of the passage is to discuss both the potential benefits and downfalls of Internet marketing strategies. Evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice which cannot be supported by the text.
Choice A: No. The phrase Advocate a specific course of action is extreme language. The passage states that Internet marketing presents myriad opportunities, but does not recommend any particular course of action. In fact, in the same sentence the author warns that Internet marketing presents myriad pitfalls. Eliminate choice A.
Choice B: No. The claim that the author minimizing the potential risks is a reversal. The author spends more time discussing the risks and does not minimize them. The author calls them potentially damaging risks, and list many harmful outcomes, including a potential loss of client base and generate negative word-of-mouth. Eliminate choice B.
Choice C: No. The phrase Suggest caution is a memory trap. Although the author does discuss both the potential benefits and downfalls of Internet marketing strategies, the author does not suggest caution. The author simply states the fact of what can happen given different strategies. Eliminate choice C.
Choice D: No. Discussing how a business initiative may fail to succeed is a memory trap. While the second and third paragraphs do discuss the shortcomings, the first paragraph discusses the benefits, such as increased revenue opportunities. The choice does not fulfill the task of describing the primary purpose of the passage. Eliminate choice D.
Choice E: Correct. The author starts with the positive aspects, such as increased revenue opportunities, and then tempers those with the common negative results, stating Common transgressions in the field of Internet marketing include such obvious negatives as the use of “spam” emails and common shortcoming in the field of high technology marketing concerns the lack of necessary research into the type of website design that will optimize product or service exposure Keep choice E.
The correct answer is choice E.