In competitive global markets, small manufacturers often struggle to access international distribution networks independently. To address this challen...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
In competitive global markets, small manufacturers often struggle to access international distribution networks independently. To address this challenge, many form strategic alliances with established exporters: the manufacturer provides high-quality products at competitive prices, while the exporter ______ by offering access to overseas markets and established client relationships that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
contributes
overcompensates
retaliates
deviates
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In competitive global markets, small manufacturers often struggle to access international distribution networks independently.' |
|
| 'To address this challenge, many form strategic alliances with established exporters:' |
|
| 'the manufacturer provides high-quality products at competitive prices,' |
|
| 'while the exporter [MISSING WORD]' |
|
| 'by offering access to overseas markets and established client relationships that would otherwise remain inaccessible.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Small manufacturers solve their international market access problems by forming strategic partnerships with exporters, creating mutually beneficial arrangements.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes the challenge small manufacturers face in accessing international markets independently. It then presents strategic alliances as the solution, explaining how each party contributes specific value to make the partnership work.
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
- Looking at our passage analysis, we have a balanced partnership where each party gives something valuable
- The manufacturer provides quality products and competitive prices, while the exporter does something in return by offering market access and client relationships
- The blank needs a word that shows the exporter is actively participating and giving their share to the partnership
contributes
✓ Correct
- 'Contributes' perfectly captures the exporter actively providing their part in the mutual partnership
- Matches our prethinking about balanced participation where each party gives something valuable
overcompensates
✗ Incorrect
- 'Overcompensates' means doing too much or going beyond what is needed
- Suggests the exporter is giving more than their fair share, which contradicts the balanced partnership described
retaliates
✗ Incorrect
- 'Retaliates' means to get revenge or strike back
- Completely wrong tone - suggests conflict rather than cooperation
deviates
✗ Incorrect
- 'Deviates' means to go off course or differ from a standard
- Does not fit the context of describing what the exporter actively does in the partnership