A wide variety of methods for marketing products and brands exists.

Question

A wide variety of methods for marketing products and brands exists. Statistics show that where traditional media fail to do so, Internet marketing campaigns can produce staggering results and  require the allocation of much smaller funds, in general.  An advantage of such a campaign is the advertiser's ability to observe its progression and  to frequently manipulate certain parameters until an optimal configuration is attained.  Although previously expected, a decrease in the prices of television and print advertising has not materialized as of yet.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a generalization made about the cost of Internet advertising; the second is a beneficial capability offered by this form of marketing.

(B) The first is an assumption which is likely to be true; the second is an advantage of the employment of internet marketing.

(C) The first is a rule that can be applied to any company wishing to advertise online; the second is an ability enjoyed by such a company.

(D) The first is a fact supporting a method of marketing; the second is a fact that weighs against the same method.

(E) The first is a positive statement about most online advertising campaigns; the second is an inconvenience created by such campaigns.

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AbhishekP220108 · Answer

The correct answer is (A).
Here's the simple breakdown:
Think of the author as trying to "sell" you on Internet marketing.
 * First Boldface: The author makes a key point: internet marketing is cheaper. But notice how they add "in general"? That's a small but crucial hedge. It means this isn't a 100% solid rule, but it's a general trend.
 * Second Boldface: Then, the author adds another perk. They literally say, "An advantage is..." and then describe this cool feature (the second boldface) where you can watch your ad campaign and "manipulate" it (tweak it) as it's happening.
So, to sum up:
 * BF1: A general statement about a positive thing (low cost).
 * BF2: A different positive thing, which is an ability or feature.
Why (A) is the right choice:
(A) The first is a generalization made about the cost of Internet advertising; the second is a beneficial capability offered by this form of marketing.
 * "generalization made about the cost": This is perfect. BF1 is about the "smaller funds" (cost), and the "in general" makes it a "generalization."
 * "beneficial capability": This is also perfect. The passage calls BF2 "An advantage" (so it's "beneficial"), and it describes an "ability" to observe and manipulate (which is a "capability").
This one just fits like a glove.
Why the other choices are wrong (and what the traps are):
 * (B) ...an assumption...: This is a classic trap. BF1 isn't an assumption; the author says it's based on "Statistics." That makes it a finding or a fact, not just something they're guessing.
 * (C) ...a rule that can be applied to any company...: This is too strong. That "in general" in BF1 specifically tells us it's not a hard "rule" that applies to "any company." (A)'s "generalization" is much more accurate.
 * (D) ...a fact that weighs against the same method.: The second part is just plain wrong. The passage explicitly says BF2 is "An advantage," so it supports the method, it doesn't "weigh against" it.
 * (E) ...an inconvenience...: Same problem as (D). The second part is wrong. The ability to tweak your ad campaign is a good thing (an advantage), not an "inconvenience."

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

A wide variety of methods for marketing products and brands exists. Statistics show that where traditional media fail to do so, Internet marketing campaigns can produce staggering results and  require the allocation of much smaller funds, in general.  An advantage of such a campaign is the advertiser's ability to observe its progression and  to frequently manipulate certain parameters until an optimal configuration is attained.  Although previously expected, a decrease in the prices of television and print advertising has not materialized as of yet.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a generalization made about the cost of Internet advertising; the second is a beneficial capability offered by this form of marketing.

This is a Boldface Type question, in which you are required to define the role of the two boldface sections in the argument. Read the argument and break it down using indicative words:

Sentence 1 is a premise because it cites a fact.  
  The first half of sentence 2 is a premise (it is based on Statistics) that compares the results of traditional campaigns with internet campaigns.  
  The first boldface portion is a premise (also based on Statistics) that compares the prices of traditional campaigns with internet campaigns, in a general manner.  
  Sentence 3 is a premise because it cites a fact: an advantage of internet marketing. It ends with the second boldface portion, which explains what this advantage enables advertisers to do.  
  The last sentence is also a premise.   
 
The first portion is a benefit of Internet advertising that generally applies; the second is something which can be done when Internet advertising is used.

(B) The first is an assumption which is likely to be true; the second is an advantage of the employment of internet marketing.

Incorrect.

This is a Boldface Type question, in which you are required to define the role of the two boldface sections in the argument. Read the argument and break it down using indicative words:

Sentence 1 is a premise because it cites a fact.  
  The first half of sentence 2 is a premise (it is based on Statistics) that compares the results of traditional campaigns with internet campaigns.  
  The first boldface portion is a premise (also based on Statistics) that compares the prices of traditional campaigns with internet campaigns, in a general manner.  
  Sentence 3 is a premise because it cites a fact: an advantage of internet marketing. It ends with the second boldface portion, which explains what this advantage enables advertisers to do.  
  The last sentence is also a premise.   
 
The phrase  Statistics show  indicates that the first boldface portion is definitely true, and not just an assumption. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.

(C) The first is a rule that can be applied to any company wishing to advertise online; the second is an ability enjoyed by such a company.

Incorrect.

The phrase  in general  indicates that the first boldface portion is true in most cases although there may be some in which it is not. This answer choice incorrectly applies the statement to  any company . You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.

(D) The first is a fact supporting a method of marketing; the second is a fact that weighs against the same method.

Incorrect.

While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly.

The second boldface portion does not weigh against the first. The sentence begins with the words  An advantage , which tell us that the second boldface portion describes a benefit of the method, just as the first boldface portion does.

(E) The first is a positive statement about most online advertising campaigns; the second is an inconvenience created by such campaigns.

Incorrect.

While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly.

The second boldface portion is not an inconvenience. The sentence begins with the words  An advantage , which tell us that the second boldface portion is also a benefit of the method.

GMATQuizMaster · Answer

If you picked Choice A, great job.

But for those who chose B or C, there's a valuable lesson here about precision in reading CR passages.

Choice B: The "Assumption" Trap 
 
 What B says: "The first is an assumption which is likely to be true" 
 Why it's wrong: Look at how BF1 is introduced: "Statistics show that where traditional media fail to do so, Internet marketing campaigns can produce staggering results..." 
 This isn't an assumption- it's an explicitly stated fact  backed by data.
 
 The key difference:

Assumption = unstated information that may or may not be true. 
 Fact = explicitly mentioned information in the passage which is definitely true.

If you chose B, you might benefit from reviewing the fundamental difference between what's stated as fact vs. what's assumed. In CR, this distinction is crucial.

Choice C: The "Rule" Misread 
 
 What C says: "The first is a rule that can be applied to  any company ". 
 Why it's wrong: BF1 says Internet marketing can produce results and requires much smaller funds " in general ."
 
 Notice the qualifiers? This is a generalization about what typically happens, not a rule about what always happens. 
 The key difference:

Rule = prescriptive, universal ("All companies must..." or "Any company will...") 
 Generalization = descriptive, typical ("In general..." or "can produce...")

The phrase "in general" is your clue that this isn't a hard-and-fast rule applicable to every single company.

Bottom line: CR questions reward careful reading of both the passage AND the answer choices. One word can make all the difference between correct and incorrect.

A wide variety of methods for marketing products and brands exists.

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A wide variety of methods for marketing products and brands exists.

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