PE 1 - Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension
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Answer the next 7 questions based on the passage given below.
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 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 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 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 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 supplant or at least rival traditional publishing-although it will be some time before a catalogue of printable digitized books becomes large enough to justify investment in book printing machines at numerous regional sites.
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 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 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 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 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 the digital future.
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)
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.
Answer: Option D
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Explanation :
Option (a): This choice is too narrow to cover the main point of the passage as a whole. The last paragraph of the passage tells us that “adjustments are typical of the interval between a departing economic model and its successor,” so this choice contains an idea presented in one paragraph—but the argument focuses on the means and mechanism by which the transition will occur, not whether or not it is “typical.”
Option (b): This choice is partially out of scope, and partially mischaracterizes the passage. Yes, the second paragraph does tell us that digital publishing will at least rival traditional publishing. But the passage gives us no social factors that would hinder its acceptance. And while the last paragraph does give one economic reason why publishing houses “initially will be reluctant to accede” (their investment in the current infrastructure), this is given in the future tense—it’s not described a factor “currently” hindering the acceptance of digital publishing.
Option (c): This choice mischaracterizes several points made in the passage. The second paragraph tells us that “digital publishing [will be] much less expensive than traditional publishing,” but we’re never actually told that it will be profitable for publishers—only that it will be more profitable for authors than the current model. Secondly, we’re never told that digital publishing will also result in “a great deal of movement” by authors among different publishing houses—just that authors will be entitled to a greater share of the revenue in general.
Option (d): This choice accurately sums up the main point of the passage. Every paragraph serves this broader goal: The first paragraph lays out the author’s predicted digital publishing model; the second paragraph argues that this new model will likely supplant traditional publishing; and the final paragraph argues that authors will then be entitled to a greater share of the revenue, as many of the costs associated with traditional publishing will be cut, and the competitive pressure from new firms will force the traditional firms to give in to the literary agents’ demands for their authors.
Hence, option (d).
Workspace:
The author uses the phrase "whole categories of expense" 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
Answer: Option D
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Explanation :
Option (a): The passage never discusses fees collected by literary agents from their clients, so this isn’t what “whole categories of expense” is referring to.
Option (b): The cost of having books printed and bound would remain in both the new point-of-sale model and the traditional model, so “the elimination of whole categories of expense” couldn’t be referring to this.
Option (c): The royalties paid to authors by their publishers would increase under the new model, so this can’t be what “the elimination of whole categories of expense” is referring to.
Option (d): “Whole categories of expense” refers back to the list of costs given in the previous paragraph, which are all specific to the retail trade in traditional printed books—i.e., they are costs that will be eliminated under the new digital publishing model.
Hence, option (d).
Workspace:
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.
Answer: Option A
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Explanation :
Option (a): We can tell from the passage that the author would likely agree with (A). In the last paragraph, the author argues that the elimination of costs associated with traditional publishing will means that authors are entitled to a bigger share of the revenue. “Large, established publishing houses, which are heavily invested in the infrastructure of traditional publishing, initially will be reluctant to accede” to the new digital model. But this means that “the opportunity to bid for new manuscripts will go first to upstart digital-publishing firms unfettered by traditional practices or infrastructure.” So, under this competitive pressure, the traditional publishers will be forced to pay authors more—or else they’ll lose their authors to these digital firms.
But if these publishers don’t embrace the new digital model, they won’t benefit from any of the savings associated with it, which is what offsets the higher cost of paying authors more. So how would they be able to offer competitive pay? We can infer that the author likely thinks they wouldn’t be able to—that they won’t be able to remain economically competitive unless they embrace the new digital model.
Option (b): The author would likely disagree with this statement; we are told as much in the first paragraph. We learn that the scenario in (B) is what is “widely assumed” will happen. But then the author says that “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...”
Option (c): We can’t infer that the author would agree with (C), as they only focus on the publishing business. Whether the book retail business is in need of “revitalization,” or if digital publishing will revitalize it, is beyond the scope of the passage.
Option (d): Whether books will sell more copies if published digitally than if published traditionally is beyond the scope of the passage, so we can’t infer that the author would agree with (D).
Hence, option (a).
Workspace:
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
Answer: Option B
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Explanation :
Option (a): Warehousing printed books is explicitly mentioned in the second paragraph as something digital publishing will dispense with the need for, so (A) isn’t the correct choice.
Option (b): Having book covers designed isn’t mentioned anywhere in the passage as something digital publishing will dispense with the need for, so option (b) is the correct choice.
Option (c): Having books shipped to retail stores is explicitly mentioned in the second paragraph as something digital publishing will dispense with the need for, so (C) isn’t the correct choice.
Option (d): Returning unsold books to publishers is explicitly mentioned in the second paragraph as something digital publishing will dispense with the need for, so (D) isn’t the correct choice.
Hence, option (b).
Workspace:
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 demand for book-grade paper will decrease 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.
Answer: Option A
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Explanation :
Option (a): The digital publishing model described in the first two paragraphs involves “digital files of books” that will be “printed and bound on demand at point of sale by machines that can quickly and inexpensively make single copies that are indistinguishable from books made in factories.” These point-of-sale machines will need to be stocked with the paper and bindings needed to print books on demand, so these supplies—rather than individual books—will likely need to be warehoused.
Option (b): This choice is an unlikely outcome. Under the new model described, even though the books won’t be pre-printed, they’ll still be printed when the customer makes the purchase. And these printed-on-demand books will “be indistinguishable from books made in factories.” Book-grade paper would still be needed to make them truly “indistinguishable” from traditional ones.
Option (c): We don’t have enough information to say that (C) would be likely to happen. The digital publishing model described in the first two paragraphs involves instant printing at the point of sale. The books will be sold at “book printing machines at numerous regional sites,” but whether these machines will belong to the publishers or distributors or retailers is not discussed.
Option (d): This choice is an unlikely outcome. Under the new model described, even though the books won’t be pre-printed, they’ll still be printed when the customer makes the purchase. And these printed-on-demand books will “be indistinguishable from books made in factories.” So copy editors (who edit the text) and book designers (who design the book cover and/or layout of the text) would probably still be needed by publishers.
Hence, option (a).
Workspace:
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.
Answer: Option C
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Explanation :
Option (a): We can’t infer that the author would agree with (A). The author tells us that the Internet “makes possible instantaneous transmission and retrieval of digital text,” and they imply that this capability will lead to the new digital model. But never does the author mention the changing literary tastes of consumers at all, let alone as “the main cause” of the transition to the new digital model.
Option (b): We can’t infer that the author would agree with (B). The author writes that the new model will include a “practically limitless digital catalog” of books for consumers to choose from—including “even those books that, under traditional publishing assumptions, would have been designated ‘out of print’” (first paragraph). So access to traditionally out-of-print books is a part of the model, but the author never states nor implies that this element will be the primary factor in its eventual acceptance.
Option (c): We can infer that the author agrees with (C). In the third paragraph, the author argues that the elimination of traditional publishing expenses will make authors entitled to higher pay: “Literary agents marketing new manuscripts could thus be expected to demand a significantly bigger slice of revenue for their authors than has been traditional.” This, says the author, will create competitive pressure among publishers, who will have to eliminate redundant functions in order to afford the authors’ higher pay. The author concludes that “such adjustments are typical of the interval between a departing economic model and its successor...”
Option (d): “Innovative marketing strategies” are neither directly mentioned nor alluded to in the passage, so we can’t infer that the author would agree with (D).
Hence, option (c).
Workspace:
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
Answer: Option B
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Explanation :
Option (a): This doesn’t match the purpose of the last sentence. The author never implies that traditional publishing houses have been too slow to embrace the new digital model. In fact, the last sentence tells us that their “caution” is understandable and typical of the transition period between an old model and a new one.
Option (b): This choice accurately summarizes the purpose of the last sentence. The author tells us that “Such adjustments are typical of the interval between a departing economic model and its successor,” broadening the scope of the argument to other industries and giving us more context. Then, telling us that this “may help explain the caution with which today's publishing conglomerates are approaching the digital future” serves to clarify the perspective of the publishers and the situation they face.
Option (c): This choice doesn’t match the purpose of the last sentence, which gives the reader a broader context on the transition and explains the “caution” with which traditional publishing houses have been approaching the digital future.
Option (d): This choice doesn’t match the purpose of the last sentence. No discussion of publishing houses that actually want to incorporate digital publishing capabilities occurs in the passage at all, let alone in the last sentence. The passage deals with the reluctance that traditional publishing houses will have towards transitioning to digital publishing, and the last sentence provides the reader with some broader context on this reluctance—telling us that such caution is understandable and typical of the transition to new economic models in general.
Hence, option (b).
Workspace:
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