Behind Every Book Review There are Two Key Figures: A Book Review Editor and A Reviewer.

Reading Comprehension Question

Behind every book review there are two key figures: a book review editor and a reviewer. Editors decide whether a book is reviewed in their publication, when the review appears, how long it is, and who writes the (5) review. When many periodicals feature the same books, this does not prove that the editors of different periodicals have not made individual decisions. Before publication, editors receive news releases and (10) printer's proofs of certain books, signifying that the publishers will make special efforts to promote these books. They will be heavily advertised and probably be among the books that most bookstores order in quantity. Not having such books reviewed might give (15) the impression that the editor was caught napping, whereas too many reviews of books that readers will have trouble finding in stores would be inappropriate.

Editors can risk having a few of the less popular titles reviewed, but they must consider what will be (20) newsworthy, advertised, and written about elsewhere. If these were the only factors influencing editors, few books that stand little chance of selling well would ever be reviewed. But editors feel some concern about what might endure, and therefore listen to (25) literary experts. A generation ago, a newspaper used a brilliant system of choosing which books to feature. The book review editor sent out a greater number of books than reviews he actually intended to publish. If a review was unenthusiastic, he reasoned that the (30) book was not important enough to be discussed immediately, and if good reviews of enough other books came in, the unenthusiastic review might never be printed.

The unenthusiastic reviewers were paid promptly anyway, but they learned that if they wanted (35) their material to be printed, it was advisable to be kind. Most editors print favorable and unfavorable reviews; however, the content of the review may be influenced by the editor. Some editors would actually feel that they had failed in their responsibility if they gave books by authors they admired to hostile critics or books by authors they disapproved of to critics who might favor them. Editors usually can predict who would review a book enthusiastically and who would (45) tear it to shreds.

“Behind every book review there are two key figures: a book review editor and a reviewer.”- this is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 8 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analysing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Question 1: According to the passage, book review editors pay attention to all of the following in deciding which books should be reviewed in their publications EXCEPT

1. news releases from publishers
2. sales figures compiled by bookstores
3. the opinions of literary experts
4. the probability that the books will be extensively advertised
5. the likelihood that the books will be reviewed in other publications

Question 2: The main idea of the second paragraph is that

1. decisions made by book review editors are influenced by the business of selling books
2. book review editors must be familiar with all aspects of the book trade
3. advertising is the most important factor influencing book sales
4. book reviews usually have no influence on what books are ordered in quantity by stores
5. publishers deliberately try to influence the decisions of book review editors

Question 3: According to the passage, a major concern of the unenthusiastic book reviewers mentioned in line 33 was to

1. ensure prompt payment for their work
2. influence public opinion of books
3. confirm the opinions of other reviewers
4. promote new books by their favorite authors
5. have their reviews published in the newspaper

Question 4: The passage provides information to answer which of the following questions?

1. Would most book review editors prefer to have books reviewed without regard to the probable commercial success of the books?
2. Are publishers' efforts to persuade bookstores to order certain books generally effective?
3. On what basis do literary experts decide that a book is or is not important?
4. What criteria are used to determine the length of a particular book review?
5. Have book review practices in general changed significantly since a generation ago?

Question 5: The passage suggests which of the following about book review readers?

1. They pay careful attention to reviewers' biases as they read reviews.
2. They disapprove of book review editors who try to influence what their reviewers write.
3. They use book reviews in order to gauge whether a book is likely to endure.
4. They expect to see timely reviews of widely publicised books in the periodicals they read.
5. They are usually willing to search in several stores for a highly recommended book that is hard to find.

Question 6: Which of the following words, if substituted for “brilliant” in line 26, would LEAST change the meaning of the sentence?

1. showy
2. articulate
3. literate
4. stingy
5. absurd

Question 7: Which of the following is an assumption made by the book review editor referred to in line 27?

1. A book of great worth will receive only good reviews.
2. An important book will endure despite possible bad reviews.
3. Reviewers might hide their true opinions in order to have their reviews published.
4. Book review editors should select reviewers whose opinions can be guessed in advance.
5. Book review editors have an obligation to print extensive reviews of apparently important books.

Question 8: It can be inferred that as a prospective book buyer, the author of the passage would generally respond to highly enthusiastic reviews of new books with

1. resignation
2. amusement
3. condemnation
4. skepticism
5. disinterest

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