Last visit was: 21 Apr 2026, 12:34 It is currently 21 Apr 2026, 12:34
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
Stn
Joined: 20 Dec 2014
Last visit: 07 Apr 2017
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
55
 [33]
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 29
Kudos: 55
 [33]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
30
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Abhishek009
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 11 Jun 2011
Last visit: 17 Dec 2025
Posts: 5,904
Own Kudos:
5,446
 [1]
Given Kudos: 463
Status:QA & VA Forum Moderator
Location: India
GPA: 3.5
WE:Business Development (Commercial Banking)
Posts: 5,904
Kudos: 5,446
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
VS93
Joined: 16 Aug 2016
Last visit: 11 Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
5
 [3]
Given Kudos: 155
Posts: 5
Kudos: 5
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
IMO the problem with D is the following: The fact that more credit is given to the companies does not mean that the amount of credit not paid off drops. The reasons for not repaying the credit may still remain.

In C: The companies that do not repay the credit are the reason why the rate of unpaid credit rises. If those companies vanish the reason for the risen rate vanishes and it decreases to the former level.
avatar
abhishekaqsais
Joined: 11 Sep 2016
Last visit: 28 May 2018
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
3
 [1]
Given Kudos: 10
Posts: 3
Kudos: 3
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Abhishek009
Stn
Because of an economic downturn in Laconia, annual sales of computer companies decreased by roughly 8 percent over the last two years. Computer manufacturers that supply Laconian computer companies have noticed that the proportion of credit given to computer companies operating in Laconia and not paid off on time sharply increased over the first year of the crisis but returned to its normal level during the second year.
Which of the following, if true, best helps explain why the proportion of credit not paid off on time returned to its normal level during the second year of the economic downturn?

(A) Sales of computer companies specializing in repairing and selling used computers did not decrease during the first year of economic downturn.
(B) During the second year of the economic downturn, many computer companies tried to increase their sales by launching advertising campaigns.
(C) Most computer companies that experienced financial difficulties before the economic downturn closed during its first year.
(D) During the second year of the economic downturn, many computer manufacturers increased the total amount of credit extended to computer companies in Laconia.
(E) At the beginning of the second year, the government of Laconia increased the tax rates for computer companies.

Source: OptimusPrep

During Last 2 Years : Sales decreased by 2%

Non repayment of credit on time

1st Year = Sharp Rise
2nd Year = Return to Normal

PRETHINKING Helps.... :beat :sleep :sleeping: :agrue: :stupid :hammer :writer

The reason can be something like : Retailers reduced Credit Purchase / Inventory Level...


Check Carefully only (C) matches...

If Manufacturers plan to close their unit , they will reduce their inventory level ( Close match to our PRE THINKING )

Hence Answer will be (C)

The answer option (C) talks about company units, and not about manufacturer's unit. Can you clarify further?
User avatar
Kurtosis
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 13 Apr 2015
Last visit: 10 Nov 2021
Posts: 1,384
Own Kudos:
5,234
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1,228
Location: India
Products:
Posts: 1,384
Kudos: 5,234
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
abhishekaqsais


The answer option (C) talks about company units, and not about manufacturer's unit. Can you clarify further?

C states that the companies that were closed had been unprofitable during the first year. During the 2nd year only those companies that were profitable survived and hence were able to pay the credit taken to the banks.
User avatar
sayantanc2k
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,391
Own Kudos:
15,571
 [2]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,391
Kudos: 15,571
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
suramya26


HI Abhishek..
Can you tell me WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH D?????

The occurrence that needs to be explained is:
why the proportion of credit not paid off on time returned to its normal level during the second year of the economic downturn?
In other words, why there was a decrease in the number of loan repayment default from first year to second year?

Option D states that more loans were given in the second year. Granting more loans does not help explain why there would be a decrease in the number of repayment defaults from first year to second year. Hence D is wrong.
User avatar
brs1cob
Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Last visit: 11 Apr 2020
Posts: 116
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 339
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: Tuck
GMAT 1: 640 Q49 V30
GPA: 3.6
WE:Engineering (Computer Software)
Schools: Tuck
GMAT 1: 640 Q49 V30
Posts: 116
Kudos: 39
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
C is the correct answer.

most of the computer companies, which were unable to pay the due amount on due date were closed down. only the financially sound companies were left at the end of the second year. hence . proportion came back to normal during the 2nd year.
avatar
Prateek176
Joined: 12 Mar 2017
Last visit: 10 Jun 2021
Posts: 172
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 87
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, General Management
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V37
GPA: 4
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V37
Posts: 172
Kudos: 92
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sayantanc2k
suramya26


HI Abhishek..
Can you tell me WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH D?????

The occurrence that needs to be explained is:
why the proportion of credit not paid off on time returned to its normal level during the second year of the economic downturn?
In other words, why there was a decrease in the number of loan repayment default from first year to second year?

Option D states that more loans were given in the second year. Granting more loans does not help explain why there would be a decrease in the number of repayment defaults from first year to second year. Hence D is wrong.

sayantanc2k Option B is incorrect because merely using advertising may be a possible reason but not a sure shot reason for a decrease in the number of repayment defaults from first year to second year. Is this reasoning accurate??
User avatar
Ahmed9955
Joined: 18 Feb 2019
Last visit: 02 Dec 2023
Posts: 82
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 326
Location: India
GMAT 1: 570 Q46 V21
GMAT 1: 570 Q46 V21
Posts: 82
Kudos: 24
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Stn
Because of an economic downturn in Laconia, annual sales of computer companies decreased by roughly 8 percent over the last two years. Computer manufacturers that supply Laconian computer companies have noticed that the proportion of credit given to computer companies operating in Laconia and not paid off on time sharply increased over the first year of the crisis but returned to its normal level during the second year.
Which of the following, if true, best helps explain why the proportion of credit not paid off on time returned to its normal level during the second year of the economic downturn?

We need an explanation that explains the above-highlighted portion.

Quote:
(A) Sales of computer companies specializing in repairing and selling used computers did not decrease during the first year of economic downturn.
We are not concerned about one specialized companies in the computer market. - Irrelevant and doesn't explain why the proportion of credit not paid off on time returned to its normal level during the second year of the economic downturn - INCORRECT
Quote:
(B) During the second year of the economic downturn, many computer companies tried to increase their sales by launching advertising campaigns.
Although companies tried but did they succeed in increasing sales ? Moreover, did the sales made them reach the level where they can repay loans , and even if they did reach, the companies repaid the manufacturers the money on time? - This choice doesn't explain anything. -INCORRECT .
Quote:
(C) Most computer companies that experienced financial difficulties before the economic downturn closed during its first year.
OK, Suppose there are 10 companies out of which 7 were experiencing financial difficulties already and the rest 3 are doing well.After first year, these 7 companies shut down, now we don't have defaulters, improving and bringing the proportion level to normal. CORRECT
Quote:
(D) During the second year of the economic downturn, many computer manufacturers increased the total amount of credit extended to computer companies in Laconia.
Increasing the loan amount to companies doesn't tell us whether that amount is returned on time. Also, more loan amount may lead to more delay in repayment. - INCORRECT
Quote:
(E) At the beginning of the second year, the government of Laconia increased the tax rates for computer companies.
Tax increase may even worsen the situation of companies. Doesn't address why the proportion of credit not paid off on time returned to its normal level during the second year of the economic downturn. INCORRECT


You are what you imagine yourself to be
User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 19,404
Own Kudos:
Posts: 19,404
Kudos: 1,009
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7391 posts
495 posts
358 posts