Studies have found that most consumers undertake little prepurchase research into durable goods (goods that are typically used repeatedly over...
GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions
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Studies have found that most consumers undertake little prepurchase research into durable goods (goods that are typically used repeatedly over a period of years) and do even less price- comparison shopping, despite the reported importance of price to consumers' purchase decisions. In view of this finding, it is interesting that studies have documented considerable price variation for durable goods within local markets. Moreover, prices of more expensive durable items tend to exhibit the greatest price variation from store to store.
Why does consumers' willingness to engage in price-comparison shopping not increase concomitantly with price variation of durable goods? One potential explanation is that consumers simply underestimate the potential savings from comparison shopping and undertake less comparison shopping than expected. A second possible explanation builds upon Thaler's transaction utility theory, which suggests that the psychological utility that a consumer derives from saving a fixed amount of money, say $20, is inversely related to the price of the item. For example, a consumer may spend more time comparison shopping for a $100 microwave oven than for a $400 television, even though the consumer expects to find a $20 savings in either case; the explanation for this behavior appears to be that the relative savings seem dramatically higher for the microwave than for the television.
Ques. 1/4
The passage suggests that which of the following is true of prices of durable goods?
Solution
1. Passage Analysis:
Progressive Passage Analysis
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Studies have found that most consumers undertake little prepurchase research into durable goods (goods that are typically used repeatedly over a period of years) and do even less price-comparison shopping, despite the reported importance of price to consumers' purchase decisions. | What it says: People don't research much before buying long-lasting items, and they don't compare prices much either, even though they say price matters to them. What it does: Introduces a puzzling consumer behavior pattern - sets up the main problem Source/Type: Research findings ("Studies have found") Connection to Previous Sentences: This is our opening - no previous information to connect to Visualization: Consumer says: "Price is very important to me!" Same consumer's actions: Buys a $400 TV after visiting only 1 store and doing 5 minutes of research What We Know So Far: There's a contradiction in consumer behavior What We Don't Know Yet: Why this happens, what the consequences are Reading Strategy Insight: The author helpfully defines "durable goods" right in the sentence - this is support, not complexity! |
| In view of this finding, it is interesting that studies have documented considerable price variation for durable goods within local markets. | What it says: Given that people don't shop around much, it's notable that prices for these items vary a lot between stores in the same area. What it does: Adds a second piece of the puzzle - explains why the behavior from sentence 1 is problematic Source/Type: Research findings ("studies have documented") Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds directly on sentence 1 - the phrase "In view of this finding" explicitly connects back. This is NOT new complexity - it's showing us why sentence 1 matters! Visualization: Store A: $350 for same TV Store B: $420 for same TV Store C: $380 for same TV Consumer from sentence 1: Only visits Store B, pays $420 What We Know So Far: People don't comparison shop, but prices vary significantly - they're missing savings What We Don't Know Yet: How much variation, why people behave this way Reading Strategy Insight: Feel confident here! The author is building a clear, logical sequence. |
| Moreover, prices of more expensive durable items tend to exhibit the greatest price variation from store to store. | What it says: The more expensive the durable item, the more the prices differ between stores. What it does: Elaborates on and intensifies the previous sentence - makes the problem even more significant Source/Type: Research findings (continuation of studies) Connection to Previous Sentences: "Moreover" signals this adds to sentence 2. This is pure elaboration - the author is strengthening the same point, not introducing something new. Visualization: $200 microwave: Price range $190-$220 (variation: $30) $800 refrigerator: Price range $750-$900 (variation: $150) $2000 washer/dryer: Price range $1800-$2300 (variation: $500) What We Know So Far: People don't comparison shop, prices vary a lot, and expensive items have the biggest price differences What We Don't Know Yet: Why people don't shop around more for expensive items where savings would be greatest Reading Strategy Insight: This is still building the setup - we're being methodically walked through the problem before getting explanations. |
| Why does consumers' willingness to engage in price-comparison shopping not increase concomitantly with price variation of durable goods? | What it says: Why don't people comparison shop more when there are bigger price differences to be found? What it does: Explicitly states the central question that the passage will answer - transitions from problem setup to solution Source/Type: Author's question/framing Connection to Previous Sentences: This is the logical question arising from sentences 1-3! The author is helping us by clearly stating what puzzle we're solving. This reduces complexity by organizing our thinking. Visualization: Logical expectation: Bigger price differences → More shopping around Reality: Bigger price differences → Same minimal shopping around Question: Why doesn't reality match logic? What We Know So Far: The complete problem setup and the exact question to be answered What We Don't Know Yet: The answer(s) to this question Reading Strategy Insight: Major relief point! The complexity is over - now we just need to follow the explanations. |
| One potential explanation is that consumers simply underestimate the potential savings from comparison shopping and undertake less comparison shopping than expected. | What it says: First possible answer: People don't realize how much money they could save, so they don't bother shopping around. What it does: Provides the first of what will be multiple explanations for the central question Source/Type: Potential explanation/theory ("One potential explanation") Connection to Previous Sentences: This directly answers the question from sentence 4 - we're now in "solution mode" rather than "problem setup mode" Visualization: Consumer thinks: "I'll probably only save $10-15, not worth the effort" Reality: Could save $150 on that $800 refrigerator Result: Consumer doesn't shop around What We Know So Far: Complete problem + first explanation (ignorance of potential savings) What We Don't Know Yet: Whether there are other explanations Reading Strategy Insight: This explanation is straightforward and intuitive - the author is giving us an easy-to-understand answer first. |
| A second possible explanation builds upon Thaler's transaction utility theory, which suggests that the psychological utility that a consumer derives from saving a fixed amount of money, say $20, is inversely related to the price of the item. | What it says: Another possible answer uses a psychology theory: The satisfaction people get from saving the same dollar amount (like $20) depends on how expensive the item is - you feel better saving $20 on cheap items than on expensive ones. What it does: Introduces a second, more sophisticated explanation based on psychological theory Source/Type: Academic theory (Thaler's research) Connection to Previous Sentences: "A second possible explanation" clearly signals this is another answer to sentence 4's question - parallel structure to sentence 5 Visualization: Saving $20 on a $50 item: Feels like a 40% discount - exciting! Saving $20 on a $500 item: Feels like a 4% discount - meh Same $20 saved, different psychological impact What We Know So Far: Complete problem + two different explanations (practical ignorance vs psychological satisfaction) What We Don't Know Yet: How the second explanation works in practice Reading Strategy Insight: The author is giving us a concrete example ($20) to make the abstract theory easier to grasp. |
| For example, a consumer may spend more time comparison shopping for a $100 microwave oven than for a $400 television, even though the consumer expects to find a $20 savings in either case; the explanation for this behavior appears to be that the relative savings seem dramatically higher for the microwave than for the television. | What it says: Here's how this works: Someone might spend more time shopping for a $100 microwave than a $400 TV, even if they expect to save $20 on either one, because $20 feels like much more savings on the cheaper microwave. What it does: Provides a concrete example that demonstrates the theory from the previous sentence - this is pure clarification Source/Type: Illustrative example ("For example") Connection to Previous Sentences: This is NOT new information! This restates sentence 6's abstract concept with specific numbers and products. The author is helping us understand by making it concrete. Visualization: Microwave scenario: Save $20 on $100 item = 20% savings (feels great!) TV scenario: Save $20 on $400 item = 5% savings (feels small) Result: More effort put into microwave shopping What We Know So Far: Complete problem + two explanations with concrete example of the second What We Don't Know Yet: Nothing major - we have a complete discussion Reading Strategy Insight: Final simplification! The passage ends by making sure we understand the psychological theory through a relatable example. Feel confident - you've mastered the content! |
2. Passage Summary:
Author's Purpose:
To explain why consumers don't comparison shop more for expensive durable goods when doing so would save them the most money.
Summary of Passage Structure:
In this passage, the author walks us through a consumer behavior puzzle and offers two explanations:
- First, the author presents a puzzling finding: people don't research or comparison shop much for durable goods, even though they claim price is important to them
- Next, the author adds more pieces to show why this behavior is problematic: prices vary significantly between stores, and expensive items have the biggest price differences
- Then, the author clearly states the central question: why don't people shop around more when there are bigger savings to be found on expensive items
- Finally, the author provides two possible explanations: people underestimate potential savings, or they get less psychological satisfaction from saving money on expensive items than on cheap ones
Main Point:
Consumer behavior that seems illogical actually makes sense when you consider that people either don't realize how much they could save or feel less satisfied saving the same dollar amount on expensive items compared to cheap ones.
3. Question Analysis:
The question asks what the passage suggests is true of prices of durable goods. This is asking us to identify a claim the passage makes about durable goods pricing patterns, not about consumer behavior or explanations for behavior.
Connecting to Our Passage Analysis:
From our passage analysis, we know that:
- The passage establishes that "studies have documented considerable price variation for durable goods within local markets"
- Most importantly, the passage specifically states that "prices of more expensive durable items tend to exhibit the greatest price variation from store to store"
- The passage focuses on price variation as a key factor in the consumer behavior puzzle
- The entire discussion centers around the relationship between price variation and consumer shopping behavior
Prethinking:
The passage makes very specific claims about durable goods pricing:
- There is considerable price variation within local markets
- More expensive durable items have greater price variation than less expensive ones
- This variation exists from store to store
The correct answer should directly reflect one of these explicitly stated facts about pricing patterns. The passage doesn't compare durable goods to other types of goods, doesn't discuss regional vs. local variation, and doesn't speculate about manufacturer pricing strategies - it focuses on documented price variation patterns among durable goods themselves.
Answer Choices Explained
A
Durable goods tend to exhibit greater price variation at the local level than they do at the regional or national level.
Why It's Wrong:
• The passage only discusses price variation "within local markets" - it never mentions regional or national levels
• No comparison is made between local vs. regional vs. national price variation
• This creates a comparison the passage doesn't support
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Does mentioning "local markets" imply comparison to other geographic levels?
→ No, the passage simply states where variation was observed, not that it's greater there than elsewhere
1. Can we infer this from the focus on local markets?
→ Be careful not to add comparisons the passage doesn't make
• The passage only discusses price variation "within local markets" - it never mentions regional or national levels
• No comparison is made between local vs. regional vs. national price variation
• This creates a comparison the passage doesn't support
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Does mentioning "local markets" imply comparison to other geographic levels?
→ No, the passage simply states where variation was observed, not that it's greater there than elsewhere
1. Can we infer this from the focus on local markets?
→ Be careful not to add comparisons the passage doesn't make
B
Durable goods tend to exhibit more price variation from store to store than do other types of consumer goods.
Why It's Wrong:
• The passage never compares durable goods to "other types of consumer goods"
• The entire discussion is about price variation within the category of durable goods
• This introduces a comparison that doesn't exist in the passage
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Doesn't the focus on durable goods suggest they're different from other goods?
→ The passage studies durable goods specifically but never claims they vary more than other goods
1. Why else would the author focus on durable goods?
→ The focus is on the consumer behavior puzzle, not on how durable goods compare to other products
• The passage never compares durable goods to "other types of consumer goods"
• The entire discussion is about price variation within the category of durable goods
• This introduces a comparison that doesn't exist in the passage
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Doesn't the focus on durable goods suggest they're different from other goods?
→ The passage studies durable goods specifically but never claims they vary more than other goods
1. Why else would the author focus on durable goods?
→ The focus is on the consumer behavior puzzle, not on how durable goods compare to other products
C
Durable goods tend to exhibit less price variation from store to store than do other types of consumer goods.
Why It's Wrong:
• This directly contradicts the passage, which states there is "considerable price variation for durable goods"
• The passage emphasizes that price variation exists and is significant
• This is the opposite of what the passage actually says
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Could this be true because consumers don't comparison shop much?
→ No, the passage says variation exists despite consumers not shopping around - they're missing out on savings
1. Does low comparison shopping create low variation?
→ The passage shows the opposite - high variation exists even with low shopping activity
• This directly contradicts the passage, which states there is "considerable price variation for durable goods"
• The passage emphasizes that price variation exists and is significant
• This is the opposite of what the passage actually says
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Could this be true because consumers don't comparison shop much?
→ No, the passage says variation exists despite consumers not shopping around - they're missing out on savings
1. Does low comparison shopping create low variation?
→ The passage shows the opposite - high variation exists even with low shopping activity
D
The prices set by manufacturers of durable goods reflect the fact that those manufacturers are aware that consumers are unlikely to comparison shop.
Why It's Wrong:
• The passage never discusses manufacturer pricing strategies or awareness
• This speculates about manufacturer motivations, which isn't addressed in the passage
• The passage focuses on observed price variation, not why manufacturers set certain prices
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Doesn't the consumer behavior pattern suggest manufacturers must know about it?
→ The passage doesn't connect consumer behavior to manufacturer knowledge or strategies
1. Isn't this a logical consequence of the findings?
→ Avoid making logical leaps the passage doesn't make - stick to what's explicitly stated or clearly implied
• The passage never discusses manufacturer pricing strategies or awareness
• This speculates about manufacturer motivations, which isn't addressed in the passage
• The passage focuses on observed price variation, not why manufacturers set certain prices
Common Student Mistakes:
1. Doesn't the consumer behavior pattern suggest manufacturers must know about it?
→ The passage doesn't connect consumer behavior to manufacturer knowledge or strategies
1. Isn't this a logical consequence of the findings?
→ Avoid making logical leaps the passage doesn't make - stick to what's explicitly stated or clearly implied
E
Consumers willing to comparison shop are more likely to discover greater price variations on relatively expensive durable goods than on lower-priced durable goods.
Why It's Right:
• This directly reflects the passage's statement that "prices of more expensive durable items tend to exhibit the greatest price variation from store to store"
• It accurately captures the relationship between item expense and price variation
• It focuses on what consumers "willing to comparison shop" would discover, which aligns with the passage's discussion
Key Evidence: "Moreover, prices of more expensive durable items tend to exhibit the greatest price variation from store to store."
• This directly reflects the passage's statement that "prices of more expensive durable items tend to exhibit the greatest price variation from store to store"
• It accurately captures the relationship between item expense and price variation
• It focuses on what consumers "willing to comparison shop" would discover, which aligns with the passage's discussion
Key Evidence: "Moreover, prices of more expensive durable items tend to exhibit the greatest price variation from store to store."
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