RC Question 5 Explanation
DISCUSSION: The scenario in the first two paragraphs is that digital publishing succeeds. Printed books remain popular, and many traditional publishing costs are eliminated.
___________
- CORRECT. This makes sense. Digitally published books will still need the same amount of paper, so it will need to be warehoused before being sent to bookstores.
- We’re not given any reason why consumers would prefer used books.
- We’re not told whether publishers will continue to use stores. They may be the most convenient place to print books. Printing in store would avoid shipping costs.
- Lines 16-20 describe cost reductions. The costs are related to physically moving books. Books will still need nice design and editing to sell.
- This is unlikely, because the author believes that printed books will continue to be popular. Books will be printed on demand, but they’ll still need book-grade paper.
Answer A makes sense but I eliminated it because of lines 16-18: “Also, the digital publication of a book online involves no physical inventory, thereby eliminating the costs of warehousing.” Thoughts on how to avoid this?
The key point to this question is to clearly understand that “digital publication” in this scenario means having the content online, but having a sort of on-demand publishing service available. This author is saying that these digital books will become print, but they will be printed when someone wants it. This is why there is no “physical inventory” required: traditionally published books will involve printing many copies that will need to be stored. But for digital publications, you wouldn’t have ready-made books, but rather, the material to create the books once there is demand.
” 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 to retail stores, and returning unsold books to publishers.”
To me this part of paragraph two led me to choose option C over option A. Why can you so easily say A makes sense but that we aren’t told anything about books at retailers in your explanation?
The passage says we’ll still be printing books. So our needs for paper and binding will be undiminished. Digitial publishing suppliers will need this material on hand to print books on demand. Whereas the passage excerpt you highlighted shows that warehousing by retailers will be reduced.
As for C, we’re only told about a change in how books are produced and stored and shipped. The paragraphs didn’t talk about the sales model. Amazon.com is a retailer, and so is Barnes and Noble’s website. If you buy a print on demand book from those retailers, it is printed and sold directly to you.
To choose C the passage would have had to talk about retailers selling to consumers directly, and it didn’t do that. I think the key difference is the distinction between retails **stores** and retailers. You can eliminate the first without eliminating the second.
You raise a very good point as these are subtle distinctions.
Note: This is an old comment but I wanted to clarify the point.
You are doing a wonderful job. Keep helping, i really enjoy your review or rather analysis.
Keep the good work going!!!