In Order to Reduce the Number of Items Damaged While in Transit to Customers, Packaging Consultants Recommended

Question: In order to reduce the number of items damaged while in transit to customers, packaging consultants recommended that the TrueSave mail-order company increase the amount of packing material so as to fill any empty spaces in its cartons. Accordingly, TrueSave officials instructed the company’s packers to use more packing material than before, and the packers zealously acted on these instructions and used as much as they could. Nevertheless, customer reports of damaged items rose somewhat.

Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why acting on the consultants’ recommendation failed to achieve its goal?

1. The change in packing policy led to an increase in expenditure on packing material and labor.
2. When packing material is compressed too densely, it loses some of its capacity to absorb shock.
3. The amount of packing material used in a carton does not significantly influence the ease with which a customer can unpack the package.
4. Most of the goods that TrueSave ships are electronic products that are highly vulnerable to being damaged in transit.
5. TrueSave has lost some of its regular customers as a result of the high number of damaged items they received.

“In order to reduce the number of items damaged while in transit to customers, packaging consultants recommended”- is a GMAT critical reasoning passage with answers. This particular GMAT critical reasoning topic has been taken from the book “Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review.”

Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT critical reasoning. This GMAT critical reasoning question consists of a comprehension question and 4 options to choose from. The GMAT critical reasoning questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities. Candidates are tested on their understanding, analysing, and applying information or concepts.

Answer: B

Explanation: This is a GMAT critical reasoning question. We have to find the option that, if true, helps to explain the argument presented in the passage.

Let’s go through each of the available options and choose the most suitable one.

Option A: The change in packing policy led to an increase in expenditure on packing material and labor.
This option is incorrect because we are not concerned about the expenditure. We have to find out why the damages increased. We have to figure out why after increasing the packaging material, the number of damages increased. This statement is irrelevant to the argument presented. So, Option A is incorrect.

Option B: When packing material is compressed too densely, it loses some of its capacity to absorb shock.
This option is correct. In case the packing material loses its ability to absorb shock, the item is bound to get damaged more easily than if the capacity to absorb shock is more. This choice clearly helps to explain the conclusion of the passage. So, Option B is correct.

Option C: The amount of packing material used in a carton does not significantly influence the ease with which a customer can unpack the package.
This option is incorrect. We need to find a reason to prove that the consultant's recommendation failed. In case the damage happens at the customer end, it means the product was safe during transit. Hence the consultant's recommendation was not incorrect. So, Option C is incorrect.

Option D: Most of the goods that TrueSave ships are electronic products that are highly vulnerable to being damaged in transit.
This option is incorrect because it says nothing about electronic products getting damaged more than others. It simply states that most of the goods are electronic products and are highly vulnerable to damage. So, Option D is incorrect.

Option E: TrueSave has lost some of its regular customers as a result of the high number of damaged items they received.
This option is incorrect because it is completely out of scope. We are not interested in knowing whether TrueSave lost its customers or not. We are talking about the consultant’s recommendation. So, Option E is incorrect.

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