Sales Performance by Territory (in thousands)TerritoryFirst Quarter SalesSecond Quarter SalesNortheast$847$923Southwest$1,204$1,156Northwest$612$681So...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
| Territory | First Quarter Sales | Second Quarter Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $847 | $923 |
| Southwest | $1,204 | $1,156 |
| Northwest | $612 | $681 |
| Southeast | $1,089 | $1,142 |
The company operates across diverse regional markets, each characterized by distinct economic conditions, competitive pressures, and consumer demographics. These territorial differences create substantial variation in sales outcomes, with some regions consistently achieving higher performance due to favorable market conditions and established customer relationships. Such performance variations are clearly demonstrated by _____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
Northeast's second quarter sales increased from $847,000 to $923,000.
Southwest's first quarter sales reached $1,204,000, while Northwest's totaled $612,000.
Southeast maintained sales above $1 million in both reporting periods.
Northwest's sales grew from $612,000 in Q1 to $681,000 in Q2.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The company operates across diverse regional markets, each characterized by distinct economic conditions, competitive pressures, and consumer demographics." |
|
| "These territorial differences create substantial variation in sales outcomes," |
|
| "with some regions consistently achieving higher performance due to favorable market conditions and established customer relationships." |
|
| "Such performance variations are clearly demonstrated by _____" |
|
Table Data Analysis:
- Northeast: $847k → $923k (+$76k)
- Southwest: $1,204k → $1,156k (-$48k)
- Northwest: $612k → $681k (+$69k)
- Southeast: $1,089k → $1,142k (+$53k)
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Regional market differences create substantial variation in company sales performance across territories.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that the company operates in diverse regional markets with different characteristics. It then argues these differences create substantial sales variations, explaining that some regions perform better due to favorable conditions. Finally, it calls for data evidence to demonstrate these variations.
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
- The passage emphasizes "substantial variation in sales outcomes" between territories
- To demonstrate this variation, we need data that shows the differences between regions, not just changes within a single region over time
- The key concept is variation ACROSS territories, not growth WITHIN territories
- Looking at our table data, we can see major differences: Southwest leads with over $1.2M in Q1, while Northwest trails with only $612k - that's almost a 2:1 ratio
- This kind of comparison directly shows the "substantial variation" the passage discusses
Northeast's second quarter sales increased from $847,000 to $923,000.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows Northeast's quarter-to-quarter growth (\(\$847\mathrm{k}\) to \(\$923\mathrm{k}\))
- This demonstrates growth within one territory, not variation between territories
Southwest's first quarter sales reached $1,204,000, while Northwest's totaled $612,000.
✓ Correct
- Compares Southwest's \(\$1,204\mathrm{k}\) against Northwest's \(\$612\mathrm{k}\) in the same quarter
- Shows almost \(2:1\) difference between territories - this is exactly the "substantial variation" the passage describes
- Directly demonstrates how regional differences create different sales outcomes
Southeast maintained sales above $1 million in both reporting periods.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows Southeast's consistency above \(\$1\mathrm{M}\) in both quarters
- This demonstrates stability within one territory, not variation between territories
Northwest's sales grew from $612,000 in Q1 to $681,000 in Q2.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows Northwest's quarter-to-quarter growth (\(\$612\mathrm{k}\) to \(\$681\mathrm{k}\))
- Like Choice A, this shows change over time within one territory