While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:A consumer electronics company commissioned a comprehensive market analysis in...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
A consumer electronics company commissioned a comprehensive market analysis in 2023 to evaluate declining smartphone sales in the 18-25 demographic. The research team initially assumed that price sensitivity was the primary factor affecting purchase decisions among younger consumers. They conducted focus groups and analyzed purchasing data across multiple price points and feature sets. The data revealed that environmental sustainability concerns, rather than cost considerations, were the dominant influence on buying choices for this demographic. The team concluded that the company needed to prioritize eco-friendly manufacturing and packaging to regain market share.
The student wants to present the market analysis and its outcomes. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
In 2023, a research team analyzed smartphone purchasing data and focus group responses, discovering that environmental sustainability concerns drove buying decisions more than price sensitivity and recommended prioritizing eco-friendly manufacturing to regain market share.
A consumer electronics company commissioned market analysis in 2023 to evaluate declining smartphone sales among younger consumers.
The 2023 market research initially assumed price sensitivity affected younger consumers' smartphone purchases, but focus groups and data analysis were conducted.
In 2023, researchers conducted focus groups and analyzed purchasing data to understand smartphone buying patterns among the 18-25 demographic.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'A consumer electronics company commissioned a comprehensive market analysis in 2023 to evaluate declining smartphone sales in the 18-25 demographic.' |
|
| 'The research team initially assumed that price sensitivity was the primary factor affecting purchase decisions among younger consumers.' |
|
| 'They conducted focus groups and analyzed purchasing data across multiple price points and feature sets.' |
|
| 'The data revealed that environmental sustainability concerns, rather than cost considerations, were the dominant influence on buying choices for this demographic.' |
|
| 'The team concluded that the company needed to prioritize eco-friendly manufacturing and packaging to regain market share.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Market research revealed that environmental sustainability concerns, not price sensitivity, drive smartphone purchasing decisions among young adults, leading to recommendations for eco-friendly manufacturing approaches.
Argument Flow: The passage follows a classic research narrative starting with the research setup and initial hypothesis about price being the key factor, then describing the methodology used to test this hypothesis, revealing the surprising finding that environmental concerns actually dominate young consumers' decisions, and concluding with strategic recommendations based on this discovery.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to 'present the market analysis and its outcomes.' This means we need a choice that covers both aspects: the research process AND what it discovered.
What type of answer do we need? We need a comprehensive summary that includes the analysis methods and the results/conclusions.
Any limiting keywords? None specified.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct choice must hit three key elements to truly present 'the market analysis and its outcomes': the research approach (focus groups and data analysis), the main discovery (sustainability concerns matter more than price), and the resulting recommendation (prioritize eco-friendly manufacturing)
- A choice that only mentions the setup or methods without the findings would be incomplete
In 2023, a research team analyzed smartphone purchasing data and focus group responses, discovering that environmental sustainability concerns drove buying decisions more than price sensitivity and recommended prioritizing eco-friendly manufacturing to regain market share.
✓ Correct
- Covers all three essential elements: the analysis methods, the key finding, and the recommendation
- Captures the complete research story from methods to outcomes
A consumer electronics company commissioned market analysis in 2023 to evaluate declining smartphone sales among younger consumers.
✗ Incorrect
- Only provides the initial setup and context
- Completely missing the findings and recommendations that constitute the 'outcomes'
The 2023 market research initially assumed price sensitivity affected younger consumers' smartphone purchases, but focus groups and data analysis were conducted.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions the initial assumption and research methods but stops there
- Fails to include the actual findings or conclusions
In 2023, researchers conducted focus groups and analyzed purchasing data to understand smartphone buying patterns among the 18-25 demographic.
✗ Incorrect
- Only describes the research methodology
- Provides no information about what the research discovered or recommended