A key decision required of advertising managers is whether a “hard-sel

Official Explanation

Q1). It can be inferred from the passage that one reason an advertiser might prefer a hard-sell approach to a soft-sell approach is that
A. the risks of boomerang effects are minimized when the conclusions an advertiser wants the consumer to draw are themselves left unstated
B. counterargumentation is likely from consumers who fail to draw their own conclusions regarding an advertising claim
C. inferential activity is likely to occur even if consumers perceive themselves to be more knowledgeable than the individuals presenting product claims
D. research on consumer memory suggests that the explicit conclusions provided by an advertiser using the hard-sell approach have a significant impact on decision making
E. the information presented by an advertiser using the soft-sell approach may imply different conclusions to different consumers
Inference
This question relies on what the passage suggests about the difference between the hard-sell and soft-sell approaches—and why the hard-sell approach might be preferred. The hard-sell approach, according to the second paragraph, presents explicit conclusions. The soft-sell approach, on the other hand, does not explicitly state conclusions about products; instead, consumers make up their own minds.
A. While the passage makes clear that boomerang effects are minimized when conclusions are left unstated, this is an advantage of the soft-sell approach over the hard-sell approach.
B. According to the second paragraph, counterargumentation is a disadvantage, not an advantage, of the hard-sell approach. This is a reason not to prefer the hard sell.
C. The third paragraph suggests that in cases in which consumers may perceive themselves as more knowledgeable than individuals presenting product
claims, the soft-sell approach offers an advantage over the hard-sell approach.
D. According to the third paragraph, self-generated conclusions that are associated with the soft-sell approach have a greater impact on decision making than explicit conclusions. The passage does not allude to any research on memory that would favor the hard-sell approach.
E. Correct. The fourth paragraph suggests that one problem with the soft-sell approach is that consumers could miss the point; they may not come to the conclusions that the advertiser would prefer. Thus an advertiser might prefer a hard-sell approach.
The correct answer is E.

Q2). Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the hardsell approach EXCEPT:
A. Its overall message is readily grasped.
B. It appeals to consumers’ knowledge about the product.
C. It makes explicit claims that the advertised brand is superior to other brands.
D. It uses statements that are expressed very clearly.
E. It makes claims in the form of direct conclusions.
Supporting idea
This question asks about what is directly stated in the passage about the hard-sell approach. The first and second paragraphs provide the details about this approach, including that it uses direct, forceful claims about benefits of a brand over competitors’ brands; its claims are simple and straightforward, in the form of explicit conclusions; and consumers are generally left with little room for confusion about the message.
A. The second paragraph states that there is little room for confusion about the message.
B. Correct. The extent of consumers’ knowledge about the product is not mentioned in the passage.
C. The first paragraph indicates that in the hard-sell approach advertisers make direct claims regarding the benefits of the advertised brand over other offerings.
D. The first and second paragraphs say that hard-sell claims are direct, simple, and straightforward.
E. The second paragraph emphasizes that the hard-sell approach presents it claims in the form of explicit conclusions.
The correct answer is B.

Q3). It can be inferred from the passage that advertisers could reduce one of the risks discussed in the last paragraph if they were able to provide
A. motivation for consumers to think about the advertisement’s message
B. information that implies the advertiser’s intended conclusion but leaves that conclusion unstated
C. subtle evidence that the advertised product is superior to that of competitors
D. information comparing the advertised product with its competitors
E. opportunity for consumers to generate their own beliefs or conclusions
Inference
This questionrequires understanding the risks discussed in the last paragraph of the passage. Those risks are, first, that consumers would not be motivated to think about the advertisement and thus would miss the message’s point; second, that consumers may draw conclusions that the advertiser did not intend; and finally, that consumers could question the validity of the conclusions they reach, even if those conclusions are what advertisers intend.
A. Correct. Providing motivation for consumers to think about an advertisement’s message would reduce the first risk discussed in the last paragraph: that consumers would fail to draw any conclusions because they would lack motivation to engage with advertisements.
B. Providing information that implies a conclusion but leaves it unstated is the very definition of the soft-sell approach, and it is this approach that gives rise to the risks discussed in the last paragraph.
C. Providing subtle evidence that a product is superior is most likely to give rise to all three of the risks identified in the last paragraph, in that its subtlety would leave consumers free to draw their own conclusions, to fail to draw those conclusions, or to question the validity of their own conclusions.
D. A direct comparison of the advertised product with its competitors would run all the risks identified in the last paragraph: consumers might not find the comparison motivating; they could draw conclusions that the advertiser did not intend (e.g., that the competing products are superior); or they could question whatever conclusions they do draw.
E. Giving consumers the opportunity to generate their own beliefs or conclusions is an intrinsic part of the soft-sell approach, which produces the risks discussed in the last paragraph.
The correct answer is A.

Q3). The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. point out the risks involved in the use of a particular advertising strategy
B. make a case for the superiority of one advertising strategy over another
C. illustrate the ways in which two advertising strategies may be implemented
D. present the advantages and disadvantages of two advertising strategies
E. contrast the types of target markets for which two advertising strategies are appropriate
Inference
Overall, the passage is concerned with two advertising strategies. The first paragraph introduces the strategies. The second paragraph explains how a particular aspect of one approach may be both positive and negative and how thesecond approach mitigates these problems. The third paragraph continues this discussion of mitigation, while the fourth paragraph points out that there are drawbacks to this approach, too. Thus, according to the passage, both strategies have positive and negative aspects.
A. The passage is concerned not with one particular advertising strategy but with two, and it discusses benefits, as well as risks, involved with both strategies.
B. The passage does not suggest that one strategy is superior to the other but rather that each has positive and negative aspects.
C. The passage does not discuss how to implement either of the strategies it is concerned with; instead, it deals with how consumers are likely to respond once the implementation has already taken place.
D. Correct. The passage is primarily concerned with showing that both of the strategies described have advantages and disadvantages.
E. The passage provides some indirect grounds for inferring the target markets for which each advertising strategy might be appropriate, but it is not primarily concerned with contrasting those markets.
The correct answer is D.

Q4). Which of the following best describes the function of the sentence in lines 25–28 in the context of the passage as a whole?
A. It reiterates a distinction between two advertising strategies that is made in the first paragraph.
B. It explains how a particular strategy avoids a drawback described earlier in the paragraph.
C. It suggests that a risk described earlier in the paragraph is less serious than some researchers believe it to be.
D. It outlines why the strategy described in the previous sentence involves certain risks for an advertiser.
E. It introduces an argument that will be refuted in the following paragraph.
Evaluation
The sentence in lines 25–28 explains how the kinds of conclusions consumers are invited to draw based on the soft-sell approach reduce the risk that consumers will respond with resentment, distrust, and counterargumentation—that is, the possible boomerang effect identified earlier in the paragraph as a drawback of the hard-sell approach.
A. The sentence does not reiterate the distinction between the hard- and softsoftsell approaches; rather, it explains an advantage of the soft-sell approach.
B. Correct. The sentence explains how the soft-sell approach avoids the problems that can arise from the hard-sell approach’s explicitly stated conclusions.
C. The sentence suggests that the risk of boomerang effects described earlier in the paragraph is serious but that a different approach can mitigate it.
D. The sentence outlines why the strategy described in the previous sentence reduces advertisers’ risks, not why it involves risks.
E. At no point does the passage refute the idea that implicit conclusions reduce the risk of boomerang effects. It does say that there could be drawbacks to the soft-sell approach, but those drawbacks are related to the problem with implicit conclusions themselves and how people reach them. In addition, the following paragraph does not mention the drawbacks, only the advantages of implicit conclusions.
The correct answer is B.

Q5). It can be inferred from the passage that one situation in which the boomerang effect often occurs is when consumers
A. have been exposed to forceful claims that are diametrically opposed to those in an advertiser’s message
B. have previous self-generated beliefs or conclusions that are readily accessible from memory
C. are subjected to advertising messages that are targeted at specific markets to which those consumers do not belong
D. are confused regarding the point of the advertiser’s message
E. come to view the advertiser’s message with suspicion
Inference
The passage discusses the boomerang effect in the second paragraph. This effect is defined as consumers deriving conclusions from advertising that are the opposite of those that advertisers intended to present, and it occurs when consumers resent and/or distrust what they are being told.
A. The passage provides no grounds for inferring that consumers need to be exposed to opposing claims in order to believe such claims; they may reach opposing claims on their own.
B. The passage indicates that the boomerang effect can be reduced by using a soft-sell approach, which can result in self-generated conclusionsbut it provides no evidence about any possible effects of preexisting self-generated beliefs or conclusions on the boomerang effect.
C. The passage does not address how consumers who are subjected to advertising messages not intended for them might respond.
D. Confusion regarding the point of the advertiser’s message is more likely to occur, the passage suggests, when advertisers use a soft-sell approach—but it is the hard-sell approach, not the soft-sell, that is likely to result in the boomerang effect.
E. Correct. The second paragraph indicates that consumers who resent being told what to believe and come to distrust the advertiser’s message—that is, those who view the message with suspicion—may experience a boomerang effect, believing the opposite of the conclusions offered.
The correct answer is E.

Q6). It can be inferred from the passage that the research mentioned in line 29 supports which of the following statements?
A. Implicit conclusions are more likely to capture accurately the point of the advertiser’s message than are explicit conclusions.
B. Counterargumentation is less likely to occur if an individual’s beliefs or conclusions are readily accessible from memory.
C. The hard-sell approach results in conclusions that are more difficult for the consumer to recall than are conclusions resulting from the soft-sell approach.
D. When the beliefs of others are presented as definite and forceful claims, they are perceived to be as accurate as self-generated beliefs.
E. Despite the advantages of implicit conclusions, the hard-sell approach involves fewer risks for the advertiser than does the soft-sell approach.
Inference
The research this item refers to—research on consumer memory and judgment— indicates that beliefs are more memorable when they are self-generated and so matter when making judgments and decisions. Further, self-generated beliefs seem more believable to those who have them than beliefs that come from elsewhere.
A. The fourth paragraph indicates that implicit conclusions are more likely tofail to replicate the advertiser’s message than explicit conclusions are.
B. The research discussed in the passage does not address when counterargumentation is more or less likely to occur. Even though counterargumentation is a risk when consumers distrust the advertiser’s message—as they may do when harder-to-recall explicit conclusions are given—it may be as much of a risk when consumers reach an implicit conclusion that is readily accessible from memory.
C. Correct. The research indicates that it is easier for consumers to recall conclusions they have reached on their own—that is, the sorts of conclusions that are encouraged by the soft-sell approach—than conclusions that have been provided explicitly, as happens in the hard-sell approach.
D. The research does not show that the forcefulness with which claims are presented increases perceptions of the accuracy of those claims. Indeed, it is most likely the opposite, as the forcefulness of others’ claims may make them seem even less related to any conclusions the consumer might generate for him- or herself.
E. The research suggests that it is the soft-sell, not the hard-sell, approach that has fewer risks. The fourth paragraph indicates that there could be some risks to the implicit conclusions that consumers draw, but this is not part of the research in question.
The correct answer is C.

11. It can be inferred from the passage that one reason an advertiser might prefer a hard-sell approach to a soft-sell approach is that
E) the information presented by an advertiser using the soft-sell approach may imply different conclusions to different consumers
"the hard-sell approach is its use of very simple and straightforward product claims presented claims presented as explicit conclusions" &"the soft-sell approach is to provide information that implies the main conclusions the advertiser wants the consumer to draw"

12.Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the hard-sell approach EXCEPT
B) it appeals to consumers' knowledge about the product
4 other choices each are mentioned in the passage.

13. It can be inferred from the passage that advertisers could reduce one of the risks discussed in the last paragraph if they were able to provide
A) motivation for consumers to think about the advertisement’s message
"Inferential activity is likely only when consumers are motivated and able to engage in effortful cognitive processes."

14. The primary purpose of the passage is to
D) present the advantages and disadvantages of two advertising strategies
" The first passage introduce two methods, the other ones discuss disadvantage and advantage of the two methods"

15. Which of the following best describes the function of the sentence in lines 25-28(Because consumers are invited to make up their) in the context of the passage as a whole?
B) it explains how a particular strategy avoids a drawback described earlier in the paragraph
"Because consumers are invited to make up their own minds, implicit conclusions reduce the risk of resentment, distrust, and counterargumentation" these risks are belonged to the hard-sell methods.

16. It can be inferred from the passage that one situation in which the boomerang effect often occurs is when consumers
E) come to view the advertiser’s message with suspicion
"counterargumentation and to boomerang effects where consumers come to believe conclusions diametrically opposed to conclusions endorsed in advertising claims."

17. It can be inferred from the passage that the research mentioned in line 43 (Recent research on consumer memory and judgment) supports which of the following statements?
C) The hard-sell approach results in conclusions that are more difficult for the consumer to recall than are conclusions resulting from the soft-sell approach.
"Beliefs or conclusions that are self-generated are more accessible from memory than beliefs from conclusions provided explicitly by other individuals, and thus have a greater impact on judgment and decision making"

To understand the context of the quotation, let's first examine the passage up until that point:

The first paragraph introduces two advertising strategies: "hard-sell" and "soft-sell."

The second paragraph examines the effect of including explicit conclusions in advertisements, which is common in the "hard-sell" strategy. It makes the following points:

• The practice of including explicit conclusions has a positive impact in "hard-sell" advertisements, because there is "little room for confusion regarding the advertiser's message."
• However, this practice also has a negative impact on "hard-sell" advertisements: "consumers may resent being told what to believe." This leads to a "boomerang effect" in which consumers conclude the opposite of what a "hard-sell" advertisement concludes.
• By using a "soft-sell" strategy in which conclusions are implied rather than stated explicitly, advertisements reduce the risk of the "boomerang effect" described above

Here is where the relevant quotation makes an appearance:

This sentence provides evidence to support the earlier claim that soft-sell advertisements have a reduced risk of the "boomerang effect" that plagues hard-sell advertisements. Letting consumers make up their own minds stops them from resenting, distrusting, and arguing against the message of the advertisement.

Take a look at answer (B):

The "drawback" mentioned in this answer choice is the "boomerang effect" discussed in the passage. The sentence in question explains how soft-sell advertisements avoid this drawback. (B) is the correct answer choice.

I hope that helps!

The question asks for the answer choice that BEST describes the function of the sentence, and it is an excellent example of why the test writers ask us to pick the BEST answer choice, not the PERFECT answer choice. You’re unlikely to see another question that deals with the nuances of the word “avoid”, but the GMAT always asks that we select the BEST answer choice.

Although we could maybe argue that the correct answer choice isn’t PERFECT, the other answer choices are clearly wrong, and (B) is clearly the BEST. You’ll likely find other verbal questions where you feel the correct answer isn’t perfect, and in those instances, just remember that you’re looking for the best answer -- not necessarily a perfect answer.

I hope that helps a bit!

The line that I have quoted is from the passage itself not something I have inferred. Pls see "because consumers are invited to make up their mind implicit conclusions are likely to reduce counter argumentation"-- you will find this too given in the passage and then pls tell me KarishmaB

Question 7

It’s important to consider the precise language on (A) when determining whether we can eliminate it on question 7. Here’s it is:


So the question becomes whether the research referenced in line 43 suggests that implicit conclusions are more likely to be ACCURATE and conform to the advertiser’s message.

To say that implicit conclusions “have a greater impact on judgment and decision making” does not suggest those conclusions are ACCURATE. In this line, the author is making a point about the effect that research indicates implicit conclusions are likely to have, not the accuracy of those conclusions. We can eliminate (A) for question 7.

One final note on (A): Although the questions asks specifically about research mentioned in line 43, the author suggests that implicit conclusions may be inaccurate later in the passage. In the final paragraph, he states that implicit conclusions risk consumers “miss[ing] the point of the message” or “draw[ing] conclusions other than the one intended.” While the question does not ask about this portion of the passage specifically, these comments from the author should serve as additional red flags when considering (A).

I hope that helps!

The question asks for the answer choice that BEST describes the function of the sentence, and it is an excellent example of why the test writers ask us to pick the BEST answer choice, not the PERFECT answer choice. You’re unlikely to see another question that deals with the nuances of the word “avoid”, but the GMAT always asks that we select the BEST answer choice. Although we could perhaps argue that the correct answer choice isn’t PERFECT, the other answer choices are clearly wrong, and (B) is clearly the BEST.

I know it's not terribly satisfying, but you’ll likely find other verbal questions where you feel the correct answer isn’t perfect, and in those instances, remember you’re looking for the best answer, not a perfect one.

I hope that helps!

Let me re-iterate: "You need the option that is supported by the research mentioned."
Research does not say anything about counter argumentation.

"Because consumers are invited to make up their own minds, implicit conclusions reduce the risk of resentment, distrust, and counter argumentation."
is author's point regarding advantages of soft sell.

This is followed by:
Recent research on consumer memory and judgement suggests another advantage of implicit conclusions.

Research talks about some other advantages. It mentions nothing about counter-argumentation.

hi YangYichen ,
The three risks mentioned in the last paragraph are -
1. One risk is that some consumers may fail to draw their own conclusions and thus miss the point of the message. Inferential activity is likely only when consumers are motivated and able to engage in effortful cognitive processes.
2. Another risk is that some consumers may draw conclusions other than the one intended
3. Finally, a third risk is that consumers may infer the intended conclusion but question the validity of their inference.

Hope this helps!!

VeritasKarishma GMATNinja GMATNinjaTwo

Can you explain last question?
why option B is wrong as implicit conclusions or soft shell strategy used to reduce resentment and distrust which eventually causes counter argumentation.can you explain where am i wrong?

saby1410
Let me help you but i will post all the answers in brief for everyone's benefit.

RC00492-01 It can be inferred from the passage that one reason an advertiser might prefer a hard-sell approach to a soft-sell approach is that

A) the risks of boomerang effects are minimized when the conclusions an advertiser wants the consumer to draw are themselves left unstated - opposite.

B) counterargumentation is likely from consumers who fail to draw their own conclusions regarding an advertising claims - irrelevant in HS case.

C) inferential activity is likely to occur even if consumers perceive themselves to be more knowledgeable than the individuals presenting product claims - irrelevant in HS case.

D) research on consumer memory suggests that the explicit conclusions provided by an advertiser using hard-sell approach have a significant impact on decision making - no such research mentioned.

E) the information presented by an advertiser using the soft-sell approach may imply different conclusions to different consumers - likely disadvantage of SS, which is absent in HS.


RC00492-02 Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a characteristic of the hard-sell approach EXCEPT

A) its overall message is readily grasped

B) it appeals to consumers' knowledge about the product - Not mentioned.

C) it makes to explicit claims that the advertised brand is superior to other brands

D) it uses statements that are expressed very clearly

E) it makes claims in the form of direct conclusions


RC00492-03 It can be inferred from the passage that advertisers could reduce one of the risks discussed in the last paragraph if they were able to provide

A) motivation for consumers to think about the advertisement’s message

B) information that implies the advertiser’s intended conclusion but leaves that conclusion unstated

C) subtle evidence that the advertised product is superior to that of competitors

D) information comparing the advertised product with its competitors

E) opportunity for consumers to generate their own beliefs or conclusions


RC00492-04 The primary purpose of the passage is to

A) point out the risks involved in the use of a particular advertising strategy

B) make a case or the superiority of one advertising strategy over another

C) illustrate the ways in which two advertising strategies may be implemented

D) present the advantages and disadvantages of two advertising strategies

E) contrast the types of target markets for which two advertising strategies are appropriate


RC00492-05 which of the following best describes the function of the sentence in lines 25-28(Because consumers are invited to make up their) in the context of the passage as a whole?

A) it reiterates a distinction between two advertising strategies that is made in the first paragraph

B) it explains how a particular strategy avoids a drawback described earlier in the paragraph

C) it suggests that a risk described earlier in the paragraph is less serious than some researchers believe it to be

D) it outlines why the strategy described in the previous sentence involves certain risks for an advertisement’s

E) it introduces an argument that will be refunded in the following paragraph
This is an inference question so a little difficult. It requires to apply your understanding of the passage.


RC00492-06 It can be inferred from the passage that one situation in which the boomerang effect often occurs is when consumers

A) have been exposed to forceful claims that are diametrically opposed to those in an advertiser’s message

B) have previous self-generated beliefs or conclusions that are readily accessible from memory - not in the way it is applied to.

C) are subjected to advertising messages that are targeted at specific markets to which those consumers do not belong

D) are confused regarding the point of the advertiser’s message

E) come to view the advertiser’s message with suspicion


RC00492-07 It can be inferred from the passage that the research mentioned in line 43 (Recent research on consumer memory and judgment) supports which of the following statements?

A) implicit conclusions are more likely to capture accurately the point of the advertiser’s message than are explicit conclusions.

B) Counterargument action is less likely to occur if an individual’s beliefs or conclusions are readily accessible from memory.

C) The hard-sell approach results in conclusions that are more difficult for the consumer to recall than are conclusions resulting from the soft-sell approach.

D) When the beliefs of others are presented as definite and forceful claims, they are perceived to be as accurate as self-generated beliefs.

E) Despite the advantages of implicit conclusions, the hard-sell approach involves fewer risks for the advertiser than does the soft-sell approach.

B initially looks like a contender but the way the option applies the finding of the research - a relative degree of comparison in the occurrence of counterargument action - goes against it.

Bunuel Sajjad1994 Options D and E are incorrectly stated in Question 5 of the passage
D is advertiser instead of advertisment's
E is refuted instead of refunded
Just happen to come across it. Thought I should let you guys know

Here are the relevant lines:

"Recent research on consumer memory and judgement suggests another advantage of implicit conclusions. Beliefs or conclusions that are self-generated are more accessible from memory than beliefs from conclusions provided explicitly by other individuals, and thus have a greater impact on judgment and decision making."

The "recent research" suggest this advantage - Self generated beliefs are more accessible from memory and hence, have a greater impact on judgment and decision making.

Recall-ability is higher with self generated beliefs. This is turn leads to greater impact on decision making (when you recall it, you are able to consider it in your decision)

So the research supports this higher recall-ability.

B) Counterargument action is less likely to occur if an individual’s beliefs or conclusions are readily accessible from memory.

It just says that readily accessible beliefs have a greater impact on judgment and decision making. Does it mean that people decide in favour of the argument made? Not necessary. They do consider it while making a decision but do they decide in its favour? We don't know. What the final action is, we are not given.

C) The hard-sell approach results in conclusions that are more difficult for the consumer to recall than are conclusions resulting from the soft-sell approach.

Correct. This is what the research suggests. That soft sell approach leads to self generated beliefs which are easier to recall.

Answer (C)

But does the research suggest this next line? The research only suggests about the recall-ability. The question asks you what the research supports, not what the author thinks.
Read every question stem very carefully. The specific data questions have a narrow focus.

VeritasKarishma is pretty spot-on in her posts here and here. The problem with (B) in question 7 is that not all of it is supported by the research in line 43. Sure, the research supports the idea that the implicit conclusions generated by the soft-sell approach are more accessible from memory than the explicit conclusions generated by the hard-sell approach (as in (C)). But this is as much as the research itself supports.

In order to conclude that counterargument action is less likely to occur, we have to look elsewhere in the passage. So, when we’re looking for an answer choice supported by the research mentioned in line 43, (C) is the best option.

I hope that helps!

Question 3

Take another look at the exact wording of question 3:

This asks us to infer how advertisers can reduce one of the risks mentioned in the last paragraph. What are those risks?

• "Some consumers may fail to draw their own conclusions and thus miss the point of the message." The reason why this happens is that "inferential activity is likely only when consumers are motivated and able to engage in effortful cognitive processes."
• "Some consumers may draw conclusions other than the one intended."
• "Consumers may infer the intended conclusion but question the validity of their inference."

Does (E) show how advertisers can reduce one of these risks? Here's (E):

(E) doesn't correlate to any of the risks mentioned in the last paragraph. It does show one of the advantages of soft-sell strategies in comparison to hard-sell strategies, but that's not what the question asks us to do.

Compare that to (A):

This is directly tied to the first risk mentioned in the last paragraph. Consumers are likely to miss the point of soft-sell messages when they are not motivated to think. So, by providing motivation to think, advertisers can reduce the risk that consumers miss the point of the message.

(E) is out, and (A) is the correct answer to question 3.

I hope that helps!

RC00492-03 It can be inferred from the passage that advertisers could reduce one of the risks discussed in the last paragraph if they were able to provide

A) motivation for consumers to think about the advertisement’s message

B) information that implies the advertiser’s intended conclusion but leaves that conclusion unstated

C) subtle evidence that the advertised product is superior to that of competitors

D) information comparing the advertised product with its competitors

E) opportunity for consumers to generate their own beliefs or conclusions

Risks:
- One risk is that some consumers may fail to draw their own conclusions and thus miss the point of the message. Inferential activity is likely only when consumers are motivated and able to engage in effortful cognitive processes.

Hence, if advertisers provided motivation for consumers to draw their own conclusions, this risk could be mitigated. Hence (A) is correct.

B) information that implies the advertiser’s intended conclusion but leaves that conclusion unstated

This is already what the soft sell approach does and it is exactly what leads to the risk given above. Since the conclusion is unstated, it leads to the risk that the consumer may not draw conclusions from it.

C) subtle evidence that the advertised product is superior to that of competitors

Again, this is what soft sell does.

D) information comparing the advertised product with its competitors

It will not lead to mitigating any of the mentioned risks.

E) opportunity for consumers to generate their own beliefs or conclusions

Again, soft sell does give the opportunity to consumers to generate their own beliefs.