Following quarterly reports showing unexpected consumer behavior patterns, economists published research analyzing spending habits during economic unc...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Following quarterly reports showing unexpected consumer behavior patterns, economists published research analyzing spending habits during economic uncertainty. Due to widespread concerns about inflation, analysts predicted that households would reduce discretionary purchases across all categories, but the data revealed significant increases in spending on home improvement and recreational equipment.
Which choice best states the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?
It summarizes the main conclusion that researchers reached from their analysis.
It provides context that clarifies the significance of the information that follows in the rest of the sentence.
It defines the economic methodology used in the study described previously.
It presents an opposing viewpoint to the research findings mentioned earlier.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Following quarterly reports showing unexpected consumer behavior patterns, economists published research analyzing spending habits during economic uncertainty.' |
|
| 'Due to widespread concerns about inflation,' |
|
| 'analysts predicted that households would reduce discretionary purchases across all categories,' |
|
| 'but the data revealed significant increases in spending on home improvement and recreational equipment.' |
|
Main Point and Flow
Main Point: Economic research revealed that despite inflation concerns leading to predictions of reduced discretionary spending, households actually increased spending on home improvement and recreational equipment.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes research context, shows how inflation concerns led to predictions of reduced spending, then presents contradicting data.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked: The function of the underlined portion 'Due to widespread concerns about inflation' within the overall text.
What type of answer do we need: A description of what role this phrase plays in the passage structure.
Any limiting keywords: None
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The underlined portion explains the reasoning behind the analysts' prediction
- It provides the logical foundation that makes their prediction reasonable and helps us understand why the contradicting data was unexpected
- The right answer should recognize that this phrase provides essential context that explains the motivation for the prediction
It summarizes the main conclusion that researchers reached from their analysis.
- Suggests the phrase summarizes a main conclusion
- The phrase provides reasoning for a prediction, not a conclusion
- Actual conclusions come from the data about increased spending
It provides context that clarifies the significance of the information that follows in the rest of the sentence.
- Accurately describes how the phrase functions as context
- Provides essential background that explains why the prediction makes sense
- Without this context, we would not understand the significance of the prediction
It defines the economic methodology used in the study described previously.
- Suggests the phrase defines research methodology
- The phrase is about economic climate, not research techniques
- Methodology would involve data collection methods
It presents an opposing viewpoint to the research findings mentioned earlier.
- Suggests the phrase presents an opposing viewpoint
- The inflation concerns actually support the analysts' prediction
- The opposing element comes later with the contradicting results