Quarterly Sales Performance by Product Category in Two Market RegionsQuarterUnits sold per day in Urban MarketsUnits sold per day in...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Quarterly Sales Performance by Product Category in Two Market Regions
| Quarter | Units sold per day in Urban Markets | Units sold per day in Rural Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 47.3 | 23.1 |
| Q2 | 52.8 | 31.4 |
| Q3 | 51.6 | 29.7 |
Market analyst Jennifer Chen and her team analyzed sales data for a consumer electronics company across three quarters in both urban and rural markets. Their analysis revealed that the lowest daily sales volume was recorded during ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
The second quarter in metropolitan areas and the first quarter in countryside regions.
The initial quarter across metropolitan and countryside regions alike.
The third quarter in metropolitan areas and the second quarter in countryside regions.
The second quarter across both metropolitan and countryside regions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Market analyst Jennifer Chen and her team analyzed sales data for a consumer electronics company across three quarters in both urban and rural markets." |
|
| "Their analysis revealed that the lowest daily sales volume was recorded during ______" |
|
| DATA TABLE: Quarterly Sales Performance by Product Category in Two Market Regions |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map: [RESEARCH CONTEXT] leads to [KEY FINDING] which needs data completion, supported by [DATA TABLE] showing Q1: Urban 47.3, Rural 23.1 (LOWEST VALUE), Q2: Urban 52.8, Rural 31.4, Q3: Urban 51.6, Rural 29.7
Main Point: Market analysis of consumer electronics sales data reveals when the lowest daily sales volume occurred across urban and rural markets over three quarters.
Argument Flow: The researchers analyzed comprehensive sales data from multiple quarters and market types, and their findings show a specific pattern where the lowest daily sales volume can be identified from the data provided.
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 the data, the lowest value in the entire table is 23.1 units per day, which occurred in Q1 in rural markets
- The statement asks when "the lowest daily sales volume was recorded during" - this suggests we need to identify the time period (quarter) when this occurred
- The correct answer should identify Q1 as the quarter when the lowest daily sales volume was recorded
The second quarter in metropolitan areas and the first quarter in countryside regions.
- Claims the lowest was recorded during "second quarter in metropolitan areas and first quarter in countryside regions" which identifies two different time periods and doesn't make logical sense for completing a statement about when the single lowest volume was recorded
The initial quarter across metropolitan and countryside regions alike.
- States "the initial quarter across metropolitan and countryside regions alike" The lowest value (23.1) occurs in Q1, so the initial quarter is indeed when the lowest daily sales volume was recorded
The third quarter in metropolitan areas and the second quarter in countryside regions.
- Identifies "third quarter in metropolitan areas and second quarter in countryside regions" Q3 urban = 51.6 and Q2 rural = 31.4, neither of which is the lowest value in the table
The second quarter across both metropolitan and countryside regions.
- Claims "second quarter across both metropolitan and countryside regions" Q2 values are 52.8 (urban) and 31.4 (rural), neither of which is the lowest in the table