A comprehensive consumer behavior study conducted by MarketPulse Analytics examined shopping patterns among suburban families during the holiday seaso...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A comprehensive consumer behavior study conducted by MarketPulse Analytics examined shopping patterns among suburban families during the holiday season. The research team had predicted that families would primarily make purchases at large retail chains, following trends observed in similar demographic groups across the region. However, the survey data showed that participating families overwhelmingly preferred small, local businesses for their holiday shopping. This preference contradicted established patterns documented in comparable market research studies.
According to the text, what contradicted the research team's predictions about holiday shopping behavior?
Families spent more money than the research team had estimated.
Families chose local businesses over large retail chains.
Families made purchases that aligned with regional demographic trends.
Families demonstrated shopping patterns that confirmed previous market studies.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A comprehensive consumer behavior study conducted by MarketPulse Analytics examined shopping patterns among suburban families during the holiday season." |
|
| "The research team had predicted that families would primarily make purchases at large retail chains, following trends observed in similar demographic groups across the region." |
|
| "However, the survey data showed that participating families overwhelmingly preferred small, local businesses for their holiday shopping." |
|
| "This preference contradicted established patterns documented in comparable market research studies." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A consumer behavior study found that suburban families preferred local businesses over large retail chains for holiday shopping, which contradicted the researchers predictions.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a classic prediction vs. reality structure. It establishes what researchers expected based on previous patterns, then reveals that the actual data showed the opposite behavior.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, we know the research team predicted families would shop at large retail chains
- However, the actual survey data showed families overwhelmingly preferred small, local businesses
- The correct answer should reference what actually happened and show how this went against predictions
Families spent more money than the research team had estimated.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims families spent more money than estimated
- The passage never mentions spending amounts or cost predictions
Families chose local businesses over large retail chains.
✓ Correct
- Captures exactly what contradicted the predictions - team predicted large retail chains, but families chose local businesses
- Directly aligns with the contrast in the passage
Families made purchases that aligned with regional demographic trends.
✗ Incorrect
- Says families aligned with regional demographic trends
- This would actually support the predictions, not contradict them
Families demonstrated shopping patterns that confirmed previous market studies.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims patterns confirmed previous market studies
- This would support rather than contradict predictions