According to economic signaling theory, consumers may perceive the

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the highlighted sentence?
The purpose of the highlighted sentence is to explain a finding reported by Marquardt and McGann. It introduces Kirmani's research, which offers an explanation for an exception to the generalization suggested by Marquardt and McGann that heavily advertised products are associated with high quality. Kirmani's research suggests that there is a threshold of advertising spending beyond which consumers perceive excessive advertising effort as a sign of low manufacturer confidence, leading to less favorable brand perceptions. Therefore, the best option is (E) To offer an explanation for an observation reported by Marquardt and McGann.

The primary purpose of the passage is to
The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss how and why particular advertising practices may affect consumers' perceptions. It explores the economic signaling theory, which suggests that consumers perceive heavily advertised brands as high quality due to the investment made by manufacturers. The passage presents empirical support for this association but also introduces Kirmani's research, which provides exceptions and additional factors to consider, such as excessive advertising effort and the use of color in advertisements. Therefore, the best option is (C) to discuss how and why particular advertising practices may affect consumers' perceptions.

Kirmani's research, as described in the passage, suggests which of the following regarding consumers' expectations about the quality of advertised products?
Kirmani's research suggests that consumers' expectations about the quality of advertised products can be influenced by both the presence of color in an advertisement and the frequency with which it appears. Kirmani found that consumers perceive color advertisements as more expensive than black-and-white ones. As a result, the repetition of a color advertisement is perceived as excessive sooner than that of a black-and-white advertisement. Therefore, the best option is (B) Those expectations can be shaped by the presence of color in an advertisement as well as by the frequency with which an advertisement appears.

Kirmani's third study, as described in the passage, suggests which of the following conclusions about a black-and-white advertisement?
Kirmani's third study suggests that a black-and-white advertisement can be repeated more frequently than a comparable color advertisement before consumers begin to suspect low manufacturer confidence in the quality of the advertised product. The passage states that the recognition of higher costs associated with color advertisements leads to consumers perceiving excessive repetition of color advertisements sooner. Therefore, the best option is (A) It can be repeated more frequently than a comparable color advertisement could before consumers begin to suspect low manufacturer confidence in the quality of the advertised product.

The passage suggests that Kirmani would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about consumers' perceptions of the relationship between the frequency with which a product is advertised and the product's quality?
The passage suggests that Kirmani would most likely agree with the statement (D) The frequency of advertisement is not always perceived by consumers to indicate that manufacturers are highly confident about their products' quality. Kirmani's research indicates that while consumers initially perceive heavily advertised brands as high quality, there is a point at which excessive advertising effort is seen as a sign of low manufacturer confidence. This implies that the relationship between advertisement frequency and product quality perception is not always straightforward and depends on various factors.

Why can't C be the Answer for question 3?
It says that for new brands the frequency is seen as good, but not for old brands, which essentially is what Kirmani's first two studies were all about.

Explanation is posted here

https://gmatclub.com/forum/according-to ... l#p2970737

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.