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A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted that despite the government's warning about peanut butter likely being contaminated by salmonella and the government's subsequent recall of a limited amount of peanut butter, 90% of grocery store shoppers surveyed said that they did not plan to change their peanut butter purchasing habits. Nevertheless, roughly two months after the limited recall and one month after the leading newspaper published its article, the country's peanut butter manufacturers reported that same-store sales to grocery store shoppers fell 75% year-over-year.
Q. Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?
  • a)
    The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.
  • b)
    Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.
  • c)
    A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.
  • d)
    Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.
  • e)
    A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Verified Answer
A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted t...
The paradox: After a government recall of some peanut butter, shoppers indicated that they would not change their peanut butter purchasing habits. However, same-store-sales of peanut butter subsequently fell dramatically.
A.This answer heightens the paradox by making the subsequent fall in sales of peanut butter even more unexplainable since a price cut would have stimulated sales (not provided an explanation for their decline).
B. This answer identifies a correct explanation for the paradox. With stores fearful about lawsuits, they removed peanut butter and consequently "same-store sales to customers fell."
C. Although a tabloid is a much less respected source than a leading newspaper, the fact still remains that the article appeared in a leading newspaper. Further, the source of the news does not explain the discrepancy between individuals' stated intent to continue purchasing peanut butter and the subsequent poor sales figures. If the tabloid as a source were a problem, it would only further increase the paradox over why sales declined (why would consumers seemingly base their decisions upon a tabloid).
D. When the individuals took the survey where they stated their intent to continue purchasing peanut butter, they knew about the op-ed piece as it appeared "days before the newspaper conducted its survey." Consequently, the op-ed cannot explain individuals' switch in behavior (i.e., intending to purchase peanut butter but then deciding not to).
E. The original argument notes that "the country's peanut butter manufacturers" (i.e., every manufacturer accounted for—not limited to the specific type of peanut butter recalled) reported a drop in sales. Although consumers' intention to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased could imply that consumers would change the type of peanut butter they purchased, it does not explain why sales would virtually stop altogether. There is a difference between changing the type of jelly purchased (and by correlation, the type of peanut butter purchased) and stopping purchasing jelly altogether (and by correlation, stopping purchasing peanut butter altogether).
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Most Upvoted Answer
A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted t...
Explanation:
Background:
The government warned about potential salmonella contamination in peanut butter and recalled a limited amount. However, despite this warning, 90% of grocery store shoppers surveyed did not plan to change their peanut butter purchasing habits.
Analysis:
- The peanut butter manufacturers reported a significant 75% year-over-year drop in same-store sales despite the initial survey results.
- This apparent paradox suggests that something else must have influenced the shoppers' behavior.
Explanation:
- Option B: Fearing additional instances of contamination and lawsuits, many retailers voluntarily removed peanut butter from their shelves.
- This action would significantly impact sales, as the product would no longer be available for purchase in many stores, leading to a sharp decline in sales.
- This explanation aligns with the significant drop in same-store sales reported by peanut butter manufacturers.
By considering the impact of retailers voluntarily removing peanut butter from their shelves due to contamination concerns, the significant decline in same-store sales can be explained despite the initial survey results indicating that most shoppers did not plan to change their purchasing habits.
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The accumulation of scientific knowledge regarding the environmental impact of oil well drilling in North America has tended to lag behind the actual drilling of oil wells. Most attempts to regulate the industry have relied on hindsight: the need for regulation becomes apparent only after undesirable events occur. The problems associated with oil wells’ potential contamination of groundwater—fresh water within the earth that supplies wells and springs—provide a case in point.When commercial drilling for oil began in North America in the mid-nineteenth century, regulations reflected the industry’s concern for the purity of the wells’ oil. In 1893, for example, regulations were enacted specifying well construction requirements to protect oil and gas reserves from contamination by fresh water. Thousands of wells were drilled in such a way as to protect the oil, but no thought was given to the possibility that the groundwater itself might need protection until many drinking-water wells near the oil well sites began to produce unpotable, oil contaminated water.The reason for this contamination was that groundwater is usually found in porous and permeable geologic formations near the earth’s surface, whereas petroleum and unpotable saline water reservoirs are generally found in similar formations but at greater depths. Drilling a well creates a conduit connecting all the formations that it has penetrated. Consequently, without appropriate safeguards, wells that penetrate both groundwater and oil or saline water formations inevitably contaminate the groundwater. Initial attempts to prevent this contamination consisted of sealing off the groundwater formations with some form of protective barrier to prevent the oil flowing up the well from entering or mixing with the natural groundwater reservoir. This method, which is still in use today, initially involved using hollow trees to seal off the groundwater formations; now, however, large metal pipe casings, set in place with cement, are used.Regulations currently govern the kinds of casing and cement that can be used in these practices; however, the hazards of insufficient knowledge persist. For example, the long-term stability of this way of protecting groundwater is unknown. The protective barrier may fail due to corrosion of the casing by certain fluids flowing up the well, or because of dissolution of the cement by these fluids. The effects of groundwater bacteria, traffic vibrations, and changing groundwater chemistry are likewise unassessed. Further, there is no guarantee that wells drilled in compliance with existing regulations will not expose a need for research in additional areas: on the west coast of North America, a major disaster recently occurred because a well’s location was based on a poor understanding of the area’s subsurface geology. Because the well was drilled in a channel accessing the ocean, not only was the area’s groundwater completely contaminated, but widespread coastal contamination also occurred, prompting international concern over oil exploration and initiating further attempts to refine regulations.The passage states which one of the following about underground oil reservoirs?

The accumulation of scientific knowledge regarding the environmental impact of oil well drilling in North America has tended to lag behind the actual drilling of oil wells. Most attempts to regulate the industry have relied on hindsight: the need for regulation becomes apparent only after undesirable events occur. The problems associated with oil wells’ potential contamination of groundwater—fresh water within the earth that supplies wells and springs—provide a case in point.When commercial drilling for oil began in North America in the mid-nineteenth century, regulations reflected the industry’s concern for the purity of the wells’ oil. In 1893, for example, regulations were enacted specifying well construction requirements to protect oil and gas reserves from contamination by fresh water. Thousands of wells were drilled in such a way as to protect the oil, but no thought was given to the possibility that the groundwater itself might need protection until many drinking-water wells near the oil well sites began to produce unpotable, oil contaminated water.The reason for this contamination was that groundwater is usually found in porous and permeable geologic formations near the earth’s surface, whereas petroleum and unpotable saline water reservoirs are generally found in similar formations but at greater depths. Drilling a well creates a conduit connecting all the formations that it has penetrated. Consequently, without appropriate safeguards, wells that penetrate both groundwater and oil or saline water formations inevitably contaminate the groundwater. Initial attempts to prevent this contamination consisted of sealing off the groundwater formations with some form of protective barrier to prevent the oil flowing up the well from entering or mixing with the natural groundwater reservoir. This method, which is still in use today, initially involved using hollow trees to seal off the groundwater formations; now, however, large metal pipe casings, set in place with cement, are used.Regulations currently govern the kinds of casing and cement that can be used in these practices; however, the hazards of insufficient knowledge persist. For example, the long-term stability of this way of protecting groundwater is unknown. The protective barrier may fail due to corrosion of the casing by certain fluids flowing up the well, or because of dissolution of the cement by these fluids. The effects of groundwater bacteria, traffic vibrations, and changing groundwater chemistry are likewise unassessed. Further, there is no guarantee that wells drilled in compliance with existing regulations will not expose a need for research in additional areas: on the west coast of North America, a major disaster recently occurred because a well’s location was based on a poor understanding of the area’s subsurface geology. Because the well was drilled in a channel accessing the ocean, not only was the area’s groundwater completely contaminated, but widespread coastal contamination also occurred, prompting international concern over oil exploration and initiating further attempts to refine regulations.Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

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A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted that despite the government's warning about peanut butter likely being contaminated by salmonella and the government's subsequent recall of a limited amount of peanut butter, 90% of grocery store shoppers surveyed said that they did not plan to change their peanut butter purchasing habits. Nevertheless, roughly two months after the limited recall and one month after the leading newspaper published its article, the country's peanut butter manufacturers reported that same-store sales to grocery store shoppers fell 75% year-over-year.Q. Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted that despite the government's warning about peanut butter likely being contaminated by salmonella and the government's subsequent recall of a limited amount of peanut butter, 90% of grocery store shoppers surveyed said that they did not plan to change their peanut butter purchasing habits. Nevertheless, roughly two months after the limited recall and one month after the leading newspaper published its article, the country's peanut butter manufacturers reported that same-store sales to grocery store shoppers fell 75% year-over-year.Q. Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted that despite the government's warning about peanut butter likely being contaminated by salmonella and the government's subsequent recall of a limited amount of peanut butter, 90% of grocery store shoppers surveyed said that they did not plan to change their peanut butter purchasing habits. Nevertheless, roughly two months after the limited recall and one month after the leading newspaper published its article, the country's peanut butter manufacturers reported that same-store sales to grocery store shoppers fell 75% year-over-year.Q. Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted that despite the government's warning about peanut butter likely being contaminated by salmonella and the government's subsequent recall of a limited amount of peanut butter, 90% of grocery store shoppers surveyed said that they did not plan to change their peanut butter purchasing habits. Nevertheless, roughly two months after the limited recall and one month after the leading newspaper published its article, the country's peanut butter manufacturers reported that same-store sales to grocery store shoppers fell 75% year-over-year.Q. Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. 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Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. 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Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. 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Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice A recent article in one of the nation's leading newspapers noted that despite the government's warning about peanut butter likely being contaminated by salmonella and the government's subsequent recall of a limited amount of peanut butter, 90% of grocery store shoppers surveyed said that they did not plan to change their peanut butter purchasing habits. Nevertheless, roughly two months after the limited recall and one month after the leading newspaper published its article, the country's peanut butter manufacturers reported that same-store sales to grocery store shoppers fell 75% year-over-year.Q. Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox above?a)The initial survey of shoppers failed to consider the effect of subsequent cuts in the price of peanut butter.b)Fearing additional instances of contamination and subsequent lawsuits, many retailers that sold peanut butter removed the product voluntarily from their shelves.c)A report similar to the report that appeared in the leading newspaper appeared in one of the nation's tabloid magazines on the same day.d)Days before the newspaper conducted its survey, a widely-respected bacterial research specialist published an op-ed article in a major newspaper arguing that the threat from salmonella-infected peanut butter was smaller than the government would later contend.e)A study published after the government recall of some peanut butter stated that individuals intended to change the type of jelly and bread they purchased.Correct answer is option 'B'. 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