BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

130-point score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Can some please solve this ?

Expert replies
by goelmohit2002 » Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:41 am
Hi All,

The below is the pessage from OG-10.

Here can someone please tell how the correct answer for the below question is B and not A ? I am really confused by the language of OG for the option B....it says low value ...doesn't it indicate the cost factor....shouldn't it be low return for it to be appropriate ?


=============================================

The fact that superior service can generate a competitive
advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt
at improving service will create such an advantage. Investments
in service, like those in production and distribution,
(5) must be balanced against other types of investments on the
basis of direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and
increased revenues. If a company is already effectively on a
par with its competitors because it provides service that
291
avoids a damaging reputation and keeps customers from
(10) leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment in higher
service levels may be wasted, since service is a deciding
factor for customers only in extreme situations.
This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional
bank, which failed to improve its competitive position
(15) despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had
to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not recognize
the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking
industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching
banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to
(20) determine whether it would attract new customers by producing
a new standard of service that would excite customers
or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The
only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be
described to customers.

1. The author uses the word “only” in line 23 most likely in order to
(A) highlight the oddity of the service improvement
(B) emphasize the relatively low value of the investment in service improvement
(C) distinguish the primary attribute of the service improvement from secondary attributes
(D) single out a certain merit of the service improvement from other merits
(E) point out the limited duration of the actual service improvement

OA = B

Thanks
Mohit
Join the discussion
Source: — Reading Comprehension |

by abhi75 » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:01 am
Here the author is trying to prove a following point by stating
"The fact that superior service can generate a competitive
advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt
at improving service will create such an advantage"

Now further elaborating the author presents an example of a bank managers
"This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional
bank, which failed to improve its competitive position
(15) despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had
to wait for a teller."

Then the author mentions the things that these bank managers missed.

Then the author uses words "only" to show that it had just one merit which is not enough to gain a competitive edge in its business, since it missed some things that the author had mentioned previously.

All these things translate in the wordings of answer choice B.

Thanks.
A
Join the discussion

by goelmohit2002 » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:05 am
abhi75 wrote: All these things translate in the wordings of answer choice B.
Don't u think that wordings of B should have been "low return...."....

Don't you think that Low value seem to say the less cost ?
Join the discussion

by scoobydooby » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:41 pm
value means 'worth'. as used here, low value of investments => low worth/benefit from the investment. it does not mean cost of investment
B is good

A is out, because the author doesnt say this investment was strange. (oddity=strangeness) just that the only advantage was a relatively unimportant benefit it offered.
Join the discussion

by goelmohit2002 » Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:48 am
scoobydooby wrote:value means 'worth'. as used here, low value of investments => low worth/benefit from the investment. it does not mean cost of investment
B is good

A is out, because the author doesnt say this investment was strange. (oddity=strangeness) just that the only advantage was a relatively unimportant benefit it offered.
Awesome scooby....thanks a lot !!!!
Join the discussion