Hermès, the prestigious French fashion company, originated in Paris during 1837, initially focusing on high-end leather products for France's noble...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Hermès, the prestigious French fashion company, originated in Paris during 1837, initially focusing on high-end leather products for France's noble class. Following the Second World War, the company confronted possible deterioration as its core clientele experienced substantial reduction. Nevertheless, consumer devotion in premium sectors can endure through significant societal transformations and population changes. Throughout the 1950s, Hermès effectively redirected its focus toward emerging affluent global buyers while preserving its traditional craftsmanship values. The brand's iconic items maintained their elevated pricing with this new customer base.
Which choice best describes the function of the third sentence in the overall structure of the text?
It presents a theory that Hermès leadership validated through their post-conflict business approach.
It establishes a universal principle that finds demonstration in Hermès's effective post-war transformation.
It offers contextual details explaining luxury companies' difficulties during the post-conflict era.
It proposes an alternative understanding of Hermès's strategic choices throughout the 1950s.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Hermès, the prestigious French fashion company, originated in Paris during 1837, initially focusing on high-end leather products for France's noble class.' |
|
| 'Following the Second World War, the company confronted possible deterioration as its core clientele experienced substantial reduction.' |
|
| 'Nevertheless, consumer devotion in premium sectors can endure through significant societal transformations and population changes.' |
|
| 'Throughout the 1950s, Hermès effectively redirected its focus toward emerging affluent global buyers while preserving its traditional craftsmanship values.' |
|
| 'The brand's iconic items maintained their elevated pricing with this new customer base.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Despite facing potential decline after WWII due to reduced noble clientele, Hermès successfully transformed by targeting global affluent buyers while maintaining its premium positioning.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Hermès's aristocratic origins, introduces the post-war crisis that threatened the company, presents a general principle about luxury consumer loyalty persisting through social upheaval, then demonstrates how Hermès embodied this principle through its successful 1950s transformation to a global luxury brand.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The function of the third sentence within the overall structure of the text.
What type of answer do we need? We need to identify what role this specific sentence plays in the passage's organization and argument.
Any limiting keywords? Function, third sentence, overall structure
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The third sentence comes right after we learn about Hermès's potential post-war problems, and it presents this broad statement about luxury customer loyalty surviving social changes
- This isn't specific to Hermès—it's a general observation about how premium markets work
- Then the rest of the passage shows us exactly how Hermès proved this principle true through their successful pivot
It presents a theory that Hermès leadership validated through their post-conflict business approach.
- This suggests Hermès leadership came up with the theory and then validated it
- But the sentence presents a general observation about all premium sectors, not something Hermès's leadership theorized
It establishes a universal principle that finds demonstration in Hermès's effective post-war transformation.
- This captures exactly what we see: the sentence states a broad principle about consumer devotion in premium sectors
- The principle is indeed universal—it applies to all luxury markets, not just Hermès
- Hermès's successful transformation in the following sentences perfectly demonstrates this principle in action
It offers contextual details explaining luxury companies' difficulties during the post-conflict era.
- The sentence doesn't provide details about difficulties—it actually suggests luxury brands can overcome difficulties
- It's optimistic about luxury companies' prospects, not explaining their problems
It proposes an alternative understanding of Hermès's strategic choices throughout the 1950s.
- This sentence doesn't propose an alternative understanding of Hermès's choices
- It presents a general principle before we even learn about Hermès's specific strategic choices