Technology companies in Austin have developed distinct expertise clusters that reflect their founders' professional backgrounds. Software firms founde...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Technology companies in Austin have developed distinct expertise clusters that reflect their founders' professional backgrounds. Software firms founded by former Dell employees tend to specialize in hardware-software integration, while companies started by former IBM consultants typically focus on enterprise business solutions. When these entrepreneurs relocate to establish offices in Denver, a similar pattern emerges: former Dell veterans continue developing integrated technology solutions, while former IBM professionals maintain their emphasis on corporate consulting services.
It can therefore be inferred that _____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
professional expertise patterns established in one business environment can reproduce themselves when those professionals establish operations in different markets.
technology entrepreneurs tend to adapt their business models more rapidly in competitive markets than in markets with less competition.
companies founded by professionals from large corporations are more likely to succeed than those started by entrepreneurs with startup experience.
there is a positive correlation between the size of a technology company and the diversity of services it offers to clients.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Technology companies in Austin have developed distinct expertise clusters that reflect their founders' professional backgrounds." |
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| "Software firms founded by former Dell employees tend to specialize in hardware-software integration, while companies started by former IBM consultants typically focus on enterprise business solutions." |
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| "When these entrepreneurs relocate to establish offices in Denver, a similar pattern emerges:" |
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| "former Dell veterans continue developing integrated technology solutions, while former IBM professionals maintain their emphasis on corporate consulting services." |
|
| "It can therefore be inferred that ______" |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Professional expertise patterns established by entrepreneurs' previous work experience tend to persist even when they establish operations in different geographic markets.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes that Austin tech companies develop specializations that mirror their founders' professional backgrounds, providing specific examples with Dell and IBM veterans. It then tests this pattern by showing what happens when these same entrepreneurs relocate to Denver, demonstrating that they maintain their original expertise focus. This sets up the inference that professional expertise patterns can reproduce themselves across different business environments.
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 shows us a clear pattern: entrepreneurs' previous professional experience determines their companies' expertise focus
- This pattern holds true in Austin with specific examples (Dell → integration, IBM → business solutions)
- When we test this by looking at what happens when these entrepreneurs move to Denver, we see the exact same pattern continues
- So the right answer should capture the idea that professional expertise patterns established in one place can reproduce themselves when those same professionals operate in different markets or locations
professional expertise patterns established in one business environment can reproduce themselves when those professionals establish operations in different markets.
✓ Correct
- This directly captures what we see in the passage: expertise patterns from Austin (one business environment) reproduce themselves in Denver (different market)
- Matches our prethinking perfectly - the Dell and IBM expertise patterns persist across geographic locations
- Uses the key concept of "reproduce themselves" which describes exactly what the passage demonstrates
technology entrepreneurs tend to adapt their business models more rapidly in competitive markets than in markets with less competition.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on adaptation speed and market competition, but the passage shows consistency, not adaptation
- The passage demonstrates that entrepreneurs maintain their expertise patterns rather than adapting them
- No information provided about competitive markets versus less competitive ones
companies founded by professionals from large corporations are more likely to succeed than those started by entrepreneurs with startup experience.
✗ Incorrect
- This makes a claim about success rates comparing large corporation veterans to startup entrepreneurs
- The passage provides no information about success rates or startup experience
- Trap: Students might assume that since the passage mentions large corporations (Dell, IBM), it's making claims about their relative success
there is a positive correlation between the size of a technology company and the diversity of services it offers to clients.
✗ Incorrect
- This discusses correlation between company size and service diversity, topics not addressed in the passage
- The passage focuses on expertise consistency, not company size or service variety
- No data provided about company sizes or the range of services offered