Main Idea/Primary Purpose Questions The main idea/primary

Question

Main Idea/Primary Purpose Questions The main idea/primary purpose questions in unarguably the most common question type in the Reading Comprehension section of the GMAT. Practice these questions and make sure you nail them on the test :-)

Sample Passage from the collection According to economic signaling theory, consumers may perceive the frequency with which an unfamiliar brand is advertised as a cue that the brand is of high quality. The notion that highly advertised brands are associated with high-quality products does have some empirical support. Marquardt and McGann found that heavily advertised products did indeed rank high on certain measures of product quality. Because large advertising expenditures represent a significant investment on the part of a manufacturer, only companies that expect to recoup these costs in the long run, through consumers’ repeat purchases of the product, can afford to spend such amounts. However, two studies by Kirmani have found that although consumers initially perceive expensive advertising as a signal of high brand quality, at some level of spending the manufacturer’s advertising effort may be perceived as unreasonably high, implying low manufacturer confidence in product quality. If consumers perceive excessive advertising effort as a sign of a manufacturer’s desperation, the result may be less favorable brand perceptions. In addition, a third study by Kirmani, of print advertisements, found that the use of color affected consumer perception of brand quality. Because consumers recognize that color advertisements are more expensive than black and white, the point at which repetition of an advertisement is perceived as excessive comes sooner for a color advertisement than for a black-and-white advertisement. The primary purpose of the passage is to A. present findings that contradict one explanation for the effects of a particular advertising practice B. argue that theoretical explanations about the effects of a particular advertising practice are of limited value without empirical evidence C. discuss how and why particular advertising practices may affect consumers’ perceptions D. contrast the research methods used in two differentstudies of a particular advertising practice E. explain why a finding about consumer responses to aparticular advertising practice was unexpected Compiler : Ivy GMAT, Bangalore.

goutamread · Answer

Great effort. Thanks for this treat! :-D

GmatDestroyer2013 · Answer

What is the OA and OE for this passage.
I go with option C

VerbalBot · Answer

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.

Main Idea/Primary Purpose Questions The main idea/primary

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Main Idea/Primary Purpose Questions The main idea/primary

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards