Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized for You
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Track Your Progress
every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance
Practice Pays
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:
Are you attending an MBA or Masters program outside in the US or Europe and wondering how to finance your studies? In this exclusive conversation, we discuss the collateral-free non-cosigner education loans...
Solve 30 high quality GMAT Focus practice questions in timed conditions. Take this GMAT practise test live with peers, analyze your GMAT study progress, and see where you stand in the GMAT student pool.
Join us in a comprehensive talk about the F1 Student Visa process with Travis Feuerbacher, former U.S. Visa Officer and licensed U.S. immigration attorney having expertise working for the U.S. Department of State
Ready to skyrocket your career with an MBA? Get ahead with our curated list of FREE courses and resources to kickstart your journey into business education!
Do RC/MSR passages scare you? e-GMAT is conducting a masterclass to help you learn – Learn effective reading strategies, Tackle difficult RC & MSR with confidence, and Excel in timed test environment
Join us for an exclusive one-day event focused on mastering the GMAT and maximizing your preparation resources! Here's what you can expect: Don't miss out on this invaluable opportunity to supercharge your GMAT preparation journey.
Main Purpose question - RC
[#permalink]
21 Oct 2013, 19:46
Firms traditionally claim that they downsize (i.e., make permanent personnel cuts) for economic reasons, Line laying off supposedly unnecessary staff (5) in an attempt to become more efficient and competitive. Organization theory would explain this reasoning as an example of the “economic rationality” that it assumes underlies all organi- (10) zational activities. There is evidence that firms believe they are behaving rationally whenever they downsize; yet recent research has shown that the actual economic effects of downsizing (15) are often negative for firms. Thus, organization theory cannot adequately explain downsizing; non-economic factors must also be considered.
One such factor is the evolution of (20) downsizing into a powerful business myth: managers simply believe that downsizing is efficacious. Moreover, downsizing nowadays is greeted favorably by the business press; the (25) press often refers to soaring stock prices of downsizing firms (even though research shows that stocks usually rise only briefly after downsizing and then suffer a prolonged decline). (30) Once viewed as a sign of desperation, downsizing is now viewed as a signal that firms are serious about competing in the global marketplace; such signals are received positively by key actors— (35) financial analysts, consultants, shareholders—who supply firms with vital organizing resources. Thus, even if downsizers do not become economically more efficient, downsizing’s mythic (40) properties give them added prestige in the business community, enhancing their survival prospects.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q2: The primary purpose of the passage is to A. criticize firms for engaging in the practice of downsizing B. analyze the negative economic impact of downsizing on firms C. offer an alternative to a traditional explanation for the occurrence of downsizing D. chronicle how perceptions of downsizing have changed over time E. provide evidence disputing the prevalence of downsizing Answer: C --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-gmat/GMATClubbers - For this question, the tone of the passage to me appears critical/not positive about the benefits of downsizing. Thus my answer was A, however OA is C. Could you help me think through why C is the right option? Also, any thoughts on what we should avoid while selecting an answer for similar main point/primary purpose questions?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.