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Re: In years past, magazines usually competed for advertising dollars by c
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04 Mar 2021, 21:53
*Original Explanation for question 1*
The phrase can be inferred indicates that this is an inference question. The task of the question is indicated by the word inferred. The subject of the question is the entire passage. 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, Such pandering to advertisers could be disastrous to publications whose reliability depends on their independence from outside coercion. Why have stories on the increased incidence of lung cancer in women received scant coverage in women’s magazines? The answers to these questions are not always quickly forthcoming or unequivocal, in itself an ominous sign that editorial integrity may be under siege.
Choice A: No. The reference to increase in the number of periodicals may seem appealing because the passage mentions the number of publications has mushroomed during the past decade. However, this choice uses the comparison language higher than at any previous time. The passage states In years past, magazines usually competed for advertising dollars by cutting advertising rates and As a result, rate wars long ago caused most publications to cut ad rates to their lowest possible levels. Yet, the statement that the number of publications has mushroomed during the past decade is not compared as higher than at any previous time.
Choice B: No. The reference to pressure exerted by advertisers on magazine editors may seem tempting because the passage mentions pandering to advertisers. However, this choice uses the comparison language greater than. The passage states Should the public lose its faith in the veracity of periodicals, advertisers would quickly lose interest in the medium but makes no such comparison to television news programs.
Choice C: No. The phrase Newspapers that have added advertiser-friendly sections makes this answer choice appealing. However, this is actually a reversal of the information in the passage, which states Why have prestigious newspapers and newsweeklies recently added sections on fashion, hobbies, travel, and other “advertiser-friendly” subjects? Such pandering to advertisers could be disastrous to publications whose reliability depends on their independence from outside coercion.
Choice D: Correct. This answer choice is supported by the passage, as Why have stories on the increased incidence of lung cancer in women received scant coverage in women’s magazines? The answers to these questions are not always quickly forthcoming or unequivocal, in itself an ominous sign that editorial integrity may be under siege…Ironically, efforts to appease advertisers may ultimately harm advertising revenues.
Choice E: No. The reference to Magazine advertorial inserts may seem tempting because the passage states advertisers may, in effect, present their own magazines. Such sections, commonly known as “advertorials,” usually contain articles similar to those appearing in the host publication; however, the content of these articles is controlled by the advertiser, not by the magazine’s editors. However, this choice uses the extreme language no useful information. The passage states “advertorials,” usually contain articles similar to those appearing in the host publication. Thus, it stands to reason that at least some useful information is presented to readers.
The correct answer is choice D.
*Original Explanation for question 2*
The phrase It can be inferred indicates that this is an inference question. The task of the question is indicated by the word inferred. The subject of the question is the addition of sections on fashion, hobbies and travel to periodicals. 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, Why have prestigious newspapers and newsweeklies recently added sections on fashion, hobbies, travel, and other “advertiser-friendly” subjects? Such pandering to advertisers could be disastrous to publications whose reliability depends on their independence from outside coercion. Thus, it is safe to conclude that the addition of sections on fashion, hobbies, and travel to periodicals may damage the reputation of publications whose reliability depends on their independence from outside coercion.
Choice A: No. This choice may seem tempting due to the reference in the passage of the content of these articles is controlled by the advertiser, not by the magazine’s editors. However, this choice is a memory trap. The passage states that in Such sections, commonly known as “advertorials,”... the content of these articles is controlled by the advertiser, not by the magazine’s editors.
Choice B: Correct. This answer choice is supported by the passage, as Such pandering to advertisers could be disastrous to publications whose reliability depends on their independence from outside coercion.
Choice C: No. The reference to too frivolous to be appropriate may seem appealing because the passage states the inclusion of fashion, hobbies, and travel sections cast serious doubt on the integrity of editorial decisions. Publishing choices that may have once gone unchallenged are now closely scrutinized. However, this choice is a memory trap. The passage uses the integrity of editorial decisions in reference to pandering to advertisers.
Choice D: No. This choice may seem tempting due to the reference in the passage of Why have stories on the increased incidence of lung cancer in women received scant coverage in women’s magazines? However, this choice uses the extreme language invariably supplants. While it may seem plausible to conclude that these sections could supplant hard news stories the passage does not state such an occurrence must invariably happen.
Choice E: No. The reference to the public’s trust and integrity may seem appealing because the passage discusses the appeal of magazines to advertisers is the very integrity such accommodations compromise. Should the public lose its faith in the veracity of periodicals. However, this answer choice is a memory trap. The passage states that Ironically, efforts to appease advertisers may ultimately harm advertising revenues and that Should the public lose its faith, advertisers would quickly lose interest in the medium, but the passage does not state that the increased prominence of these sections has done irreparable damage.
The correct answer is choice B.
*Original Explanation for question 3*
The phrase The author implies indicates that this is an inference question. The task of the question is indicated by the word implies. The subject of the question is advertorials. 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, publishers also frequently offer advertisers anywhere from four to thirty-two consecutive pages in their magazines in which the advertisers may, in effect, present their own magazines. Such sections, commonly known as “advertorials,” usually contain articles similar to those appearing in the host publication; however, the content of these articles is controlled by the advertiser, not by the magazine’s editors. The trend in recent years has been for advertorials to mimic closely the format of the host magazine. Thus, it is safe to conclude that advertorials usually contain articles similar to the host magazine, are roughly four to thirty-two consecutive pages, and in recent years…advertorials mimic closely the format of the host magazine may damage the reputation of publications whose reliability depends on their independence from outside coercion.
Choice A: No. This choice may seem tempting due to the reference in the passage of usually contain articles similar to those appearing in the host publication; however, the content of these articles is controlled by the advertiser. However, this choice uses the extreme language only. The passage states that in Such sections…usually contain articles similar to articles in the magazine.
Choice B: No. This answer choice uses the phrase less…than to compare editorial content now to in the past. However, this is a no such comparison answer, as the passage does not compare these two items. The passage mentions articles similar to those appearing in the host publication in advertorials now but does not mention articles in advertorials in the past.
Choice C: No. The reference to limited appeal for advertisers, who were unsure how readers would react may seem appealing because the passage mentions the appeal of magazines to advertisers and Should the public lose its faith in the veracity of periodicals, advertisers would quickly lose interest in the medium. However, this choice is a memory trap. The passage states that readers were concerned with the veracity of periodicals and the integrity of editorial decisions in reference to pandering to advertisers.
Choice D: Correct. This answer choice is supported by the passage, as The trend in recent years has been for advertorials to mimic closely the format of the host magazine.
Choice E: No. The word advertisement is recycled language from the passage. The passage does mention advertisements, but makes no mention of federal law.
The correct answer is choice D.
*Original Explanation for question 4*
The phrase It can be inferred indicates that this is an inference question. The task of the question is indicated by the word inferred. The subject of the question is something the author believes. 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, Ironically, efforts to appease advertisers may ultimately harm advertising revenues. As many industry watchers have noted, the appeal of magazines to advertisers is the very integrity such accommodations compromise. Should the public lose its faith in the veracity of periodicals, advertisers would quickly lose interest in the medium.
Choice A: No. The reference to the danger of further concessions to advertisers may seem appealing because the passage mentions pandering to advertisers. However, this choice is a memory trap. The passage states None of these trends necessarily proves that the strict “church/state” style separation of editorial and advertising offices has been weakened but that such trends are an ominous sign that editorial integrity may be under siege. Thus, the danger of further concessions to advertisers cannot be past.
Choice B: No. The reference to the fundamental division between editorial concerns and marketing decisions may seem tempting because the passage mentions pandering to advertisers. However, this choice is a memory trap. The passage states None of these trends necessarily proves that the strict “church/state” style separation of editorial and advertising offices has been weakened but that such trends are an ominous sign that editorial integrity may be under siege. Thus, it cannot be that the division…no longer exists.
Choice C: Correct. This answer choice is supported by the passage, as the appeal of magazines to advertisers is the very integrity such accommodations compromise. Should the public lose its faith in the veracity of periodicals, advertisers would quickly lose interest in the medium.
Choice D: No. The reference to news periodicals remain autonomous may seem appealing because the passage mentions the appeal of magazines to advertisers and Should the public lose its faith in the veracity of periodicals, advertisers would quickly lose interest in the medium. However, this choice is a memory trap. The passage states that readers were concerned with the veracity of periodicals and the integrity of editorial decisions in reference to pandering to advertisers.
Choice E: No. The reference to value-added advertising incentives inevitably result in compromises of the integrity of news periodicals may seem tempting because the passage states None of these trends necessarily proves that the strict “church/state” style separation of editorial and advertising offices has been weakened. Their cumulative effect, however, is to cast serious doubt on the integrity of editorial decisions. However, this choice uses the extreme language invariably. Later, the passage conditionally states the appeal of magazines to advertisers is the very integrity such accommodations compromise. Should the public lose its faith in the veracity of periodicals, advertisers would quickly lose interest in the medium.
The correct answer is choice C.
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