The Internet Makes Possible the Instantaneous Transmission

Reading Passage Question

The Internet makes possible the instantaneous transmission and retrieval of digital text. It is widely assumed that this capacity will lead to the displacement of printed books by digitized books that are read

(5) mainly on computer screens or handheld electronic devices. But it is more likely, I believe, that most digital files of books will be printed and bound on demand at point of sale by machines that can quickly and inexpensively make single copies that are

(10) indistinguishable from books made in factories. Once most books have been digitized, anyone with access to the Internet will be able to purchase printed books from a practically limitless digital catalog that includes even those books that, under traditional publishing

(15) assumptions, would have been designated "out of print."

Also, the digital publication of a book online involves no physical inventory, thereby eliminating the costs of warehousing, shipping books to wholesalers and to retail stores, displaying physical books in retail

(20) stores, and returning unsold books to publishers. This would make digital publishing much less expensive than traditional publishing. Given the economic

efficiency and convenience for customers of this new digital model of publishing, it is likely to eventually

(25) supplant or at least rival traditional publishing although it will be some time before a catalog of printable digitized books becomes large enough to

justify investment in book printing machines at numerous regional sites.

(30) Moreover, the elimination of whole categories of expense means that under the digital publishing model, authors would be responsible for a greater proportion

of the value of the final product and would therefore, according to literary agents, be entitled to a larger

(35) share of the proceeds. Currently a large percentage of publishers' revenue is absorbed by the costs of printing, selling, and distributing physical books, costs that are irrelevant to digital publication. Literary agents marketing new manuscripts could thus be expected

(40) to demand a significantly bigger slice of revenue for their authors than has been traditional. But large, established publishing houses, which are heavily invested in the infrastructure of traditional publishing, initially will be reluctant to accede. So the opportunity

(45) to bid for new manuscripts will go first to upstart digital-publishing firms unfettered by traditional practices or infrastructure. Under this competitive pressure, traditional publishers will have to reduce their redundant functions in order to accommodate

(50) higher royalty payments to authors or else they will lose their authors. Such adjustments are typical of the interval between a departing economic model and its

successor and may help explain the caution with which today's publishing conglomerates are approaching

(55) the digital future.

‘The Internet makes possible the instantaneous transmission’ is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 comprehension questions.

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

Solution and Explanation

1. Which one of the following statements most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

(A) The shift from traditional to digital publishing is typical of the shift from one economic model to a more efficient economic model.
(B) Digital publishing is likely to one-day rival traditional publishing, but social and economic factors are currently hindering its acceptance.
(C) Digital publishing will be convenient for readers and profitable for publishers but will also result in a great deal of movement by authors among different publishing houses.
(D) Although digital books can now be displayed on computers and handheld electronic devices, consumers will demonstrate that they prefer books printed at the point of sale.
(E) Digital publishing will transform the economics of the publishing business and in doing so will likely create competitive pressures to pay authors a greater percentage of publishers' net revenue.

2. The author uses the phrase "whole categories of expense" (lines 30-31) primarily to refer to

(A) the fees collected by literary agents from their clients
(B) the price paid to have books printed and bound
(C) the royalties paid to authors by their publishers
(D) the costs specific to the retail trade in traditional printed books|
(E) the total sales of a book minus the value of those books returned unsold to the bookseller

3. It can most reasonably be inferred that the author would agree with which one of the following statements?

(A) Those publishers that fail to embrace the new digital model of publishing will be unlikely to remain economically competitive.|
(B) The primary threat to the spread of digital publishing will be the widespread use of computers and handheld devices for reading text.
(C) The growth of digital publishing is likely to revitalize the book retail business.
(D) Any book will sell more copies if it is published digitally than if it is published traditionally.
(E) Digital publishing will allow publishers to substantially decrease the amount of money they allocate for advertising their books.

4. Each of the following is identified in the passage as something digital publishing will dispense with the need for EXCEPT:

(A) warehousing printed books
(B) having book covers designed
(C) having books shipped to retail stores
(D) having unsold books returned to publishers
(E) displaying books in retail stores

5. If the scenario described in the first two paragraphs were to become true, then which one of the following would most likely be the case?

(A) The need for warehousing will shift mainly from that of individual books to that of paper and binding material to make books.
(B) The patronage of stores that sell used books will increase significantly.
(C) Most publishers will sell their own books individually and will not use distributors or retailers.
(D) There will be significantly less demand by publishers for the services of copy editors and book designers.
(E) The demand for book-grade paper will decrease significantly.

6. It can most reasonably be inferred that the author would agree with which one of the following statements?

(A) The changing literary tastes of consumers will be the main cause of the eventual transition to the new digital model.
(B) The ease of keeping books "in print" will be the primary factor in the eventual acceptance of the new digital model.
(C) The demands of literary agents will be the impetus for completing the transition to the new digital model.
(D) The development of innovative marketing strategies will ensure acceptance of the new digital model.
(E) Widespread familiarity with new ways of storing information will be the primary reason for the acceptance of the new digital model.

7. The primary purpose of the final sentence of the passage is to

(A) suggest that traditional publishing houses have been too slow to embrace digital publishing
(B) provide a broader context that helps to clarify the situation facing traditional publishers
(C) summarize the argument for the claim that digital publishing will likely replace traditional publishing
(D) illustrate the primary obstacle facing traditional publishing houses that wish to incorporate digital publishing capabilities
(E) recommend a wait-and-see approach on the part of traditional publishing houses

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