扫描二维码，直接登录
题库 / GMATLA-RC-123
In corporate purchasing, competitive scrutiny is typically limited to suppliers of items that are directly related to end products. With "indirect" purchases (such as computers, advertising, and legal services), which are not directly related to production, corporations often favor "supplier partnerships" (arrangements in which the purchaser forgoes the right to pursue alternative suppliers), which can inappropriately shelter suppliers from rigorous competitive scrutiny that might afford the purchaser economic leverage. There are two independent variables—availability of alternatives and ease of changing suppliers—that companies should use to evaluate the feasibility of subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny. This can create four possible situations.
In Type 1 situations, there are many alternatives and change is relatively easy. Open pursuit of alternatives—by frequent competitive bidding, if possible—will likely yield the best results. In Type 2 situations, where there are many alternatives but change is difficult—as for providers of employee health-care benefits—it is important to continuously test the market and use the results to secure concessions from existing suppliers. Alternatives provide a credible threat to suppliers, even if the ability to switch is constrained. In Type 3 situations, there are few alternatives, but the ability to switch without difficulty creates a threat that companies can use to negotiate concessions from existing suppliers. In Type 4 situations, where there are few alternatives and change is difficult, partnerships may be unavoidable.
Which of the following best describes the relation of the second paragraph to the first?
The second paragraph offers proof of an assertion made in the first paragraph.
The second paragraph provides an explanation for the occurrence of a situation described in the first paragraph.
The second paragraph discusses the application of a strategy proposed in the first paragraph.
The second paragraph examines the scope of a problem presented in the first paragraph.
The second paragraph discusses the contradictions inherent in a relationship described in the first paragraph.
此讲解的内容由AI生成，还未经人工审阅，仅供参考。
答案是C。因为第一段提到，公司通常倾向于建立供应商伙伴关系，而这可能会避免对供应商进行竞争审查，从而获得经济利益。第二段接着讨论了使用两个独立变量——可供选择的替代性和容易 更换供应商——来评估购买间接采购物品时，是否应将供应商置于竞争审查中的可行性。由此可见，第二段讨论的是在第一段提出的策略的应用，因此选项C最为恰当。
做完这道题就知道错了……看第一段最后一句提到了company should use to evaluate……就一定是一个strategy
B: explanation for the occurrence of a situation。第二段没有在解释为什么supplier partnership会出现。
C: 这个strategy就是supplier partnership。 第二段在讲supplier partnership 的四种情况（application）
文中有提到的There are two independent variables—availability of alternatives and ease of changing suppliers—that companies should use to evaluate the feasibility of subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny. 用这两个变量去衡量不同的状况就是strategy，而讨论这个strategy在应用在不同环境就是其application
多看连接句，不要主观臆测
B. explanation for the occurrence of a situation。第二段没有在解释为什么supplier partnership会出现。错误
C. strategy：use two variables to evaluate the feasibility
第二段不是解释原因，而是讨论应用的四种情况。
关键句是：There are two independent variables—availability of alternatives and ease of changing suppliers—that companies should use to evaluate the feasibility of subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny
要读出： company should use的宾语是 two independent variables。还原后是： companies should use two independent variables to evaluate... 这明显是在说一个strategy。
结构题
There are two independent variables—availability of alternatives and ease of changing suppliers—that companies should use to evaluate the feasibility of subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny. This can create four possible situations.这句话是承上启下的。说明的一个strategy（有两个可变因素alternatives，changing），接下里下一段分别解释了四种可能的情况。所以选C
定位 There are two independent variables—availability of alternatives and ease of changing suppliers—that companies should use to evaluate the feasibility of subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny.（strategy） This can create four possible situations.(application),我真是眼瞎
explanation for the occurrence of a situation,不是对情况出现的解释。
错误原因：没读清选项 explanation for the occurrence并没有出现
that companies should use to evaluate 是strategy，B错在：provides an explanation for the occurrence of a situation。第一段最后说的是4个情况，即便是解释也是解释四个；另外解释的并不是这四种情况为什么出现（occurrence），而是对四种情况分别展开讨论，讨论的是strategy应用的四个情况。。
赞
登录 或 注册 后可以参加讨论
过渡句：There are two independent variables—availability of alternatives and ease of changing suppliers—that companies should use to evaluate the feasibility of{ subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny}. This can create four possible situations.
{ subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny}是一个策略，用两个变量四种情况来评估这一个策略的可行性。
B错在：provides an explanation for the occurrence of a situation。第一段最后说的是4个情况，即便是解释也是解释四个；另外解释的并不是这四种情况为什么出现（occurrence），而是对四种情况分别展开讨论。
B错在：provides an explanation for the occurrence of a situation。第一段最后说的是4个情况，即便是解释也是解释四个；另外解释的并不是这四种情况为什么出现（occurrence），而是对四种情况分别展开讨论。
文中有提到的There are two independent variables—availability of alternatives and ease of changing suppliers—that companies should use to evaluate the feasibility of subjecting suppliers of indirect purchases to competitive scrutiny. 用这两个变量去衡量不同的状况就是strategy，而讨论这个strategy在应用在不同环境就是其application