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

Redeem

magazine publisher

Expert replies
by mehrasa » Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:34 am
Since the new publisher took control, a news magazine's covers have featured only models and movie stars. Previously, the covers had displayed only politicians, soldiers, and business leaders. A leading gossip columnist claimed that the changes made the magazine relevant again. However, many newspaper editorials disagreed and suggested that the new publisher is more interested in boosting sales than in reporting important news events.

Which of the following is an assumption necessary for the argument made by the gossip columnist's opponents?

a.) The charitable activities of models and movie stars often focus public attention on pressing problems.
b.) Final authority for choosing the cover subject of the magazine lies with the publisher.
c.) A magazine can boost sales while highlighting the coverage of important world leaders.
d.) Some of the movie stars featured are now running for political office.
e.) Magazine issues with models or movie stars on the covers are purchased at a rate more than three times greater than is the case with issues featuring politicians on the covers.


here is my reasoning... we need to find an assumption for gossip columnist which state that the changes made the magazine relevant... to me it means that now magazine do its job well (by having the movie stars and celebrities on the cover of magazine)on the other hand, end of stimulus says that magazine should report important news event ==> the assumtipn should be sth that links publishing important news and celebrities... A can be the answer ... please give me ur reasoning
[spoiler]OA: B[/spoiler]
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by parul9 » Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:20 am
IMO it's B.

Crux of the passage is:
Old publisher - politicians/soldiers/business leaders
New publisher - models and movie stars
Gossip Columnist - mag is relevant again
Gossip Columnist's opponents - New publisher is interested in boosting sales and nothing else.

We need to find the assumption used by the Gossip Columnist's opponents in reaching this conclusion which is - "the new publisher is more interested in boosting sales than in reporting important news events".

a.) The charitable activities of models and movie stars often focus public attention on pressing problems. -- this weakens their stand. So it's wrong.

b.) Final authority for choosing the cover subject of the magazine lies with the publisher. -- The content of the mag changed and the publisher is being blamed. So, the assumption that he is the final authority who decides the content is a valid one.

c.) A magazine can boost sales while highlighting the coverage of important world leaders. -- This is very vague. And if we look at it, it seems even the opponents concede that the sales have increased with the entry of movie stars and models in the mag, since now "the new publisher is more interested in boosting sales than in reporting important news events."

d.) Some of the movie stars featured are now running for political office. -- Irrelevant

e.) Magazine issues with models or movie stars on the covers are purchased at a rate more than three times greater than is the case with issues featuring politicians on the covers. --- Irrelevant
Join the discussion

by GmatKiss » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:11 pm
am not getting this one. Looking for a better explanation.
Join the discussion

by krishnakumar.ks » Thu Oct 27, 2011 6:36 am
B.
Hi GMATKiss, How about this : :)

CONCLUSION : The new publisher is more interested in boosting sales. Also, the editors disagreed on the gossip columnist's point that the magazine is just focused on celebrities (or alike).


e.) Magazine issues with models or movie stars on the covers are purchased at a rate more than three times greater than is the case with issues featuring politicians on the covers. - The conclusion doesn't care about the rate at which the magazine is sold

d.) Some of the movie stars featured are now running for political office - If this is the case the publisher cannot be blamed that he is interested in boosting sales rather be complemented

c.) A magazine can boost sales while highlighting the coverage of important world leaders. - This is not what the editors conclude

a.) The charitable activities of models and movie stars often focus public attention on pressing problems - This does not support editors conclusion either.

b.) Final authority for choosing the cover subject of the magazine lies with the publisher. - This has to be the answer. This supports their conclusion that the magazine might still contain relevant information about politicians, etc., etc., but because of the publisher's interest in boosting sales and his control over chosing the front page,it publishes the info of celebrities.
Join the discussion

by mankey » Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:34 am
Not clear what is the Gossip Columnist is trying to say here? Please explain how are the different options placed with reference to the columnist's comment?

Thanks.
Join the discussion

by mankey » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:26 am
Can someone please respond to my query, will really appreciate your help:

Not clear what is the Gossip Columnist is trying to say here? Please explain how are the different options placed with reference to the columnist's comment?

Thanks.
Join the discussion