Instructions

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions:
Vindhya, Shabnam and Amala are interning at a software organization as part of the requirement of their B-school curriculum.
The organization has allotted each of them a project based on their area of specialization. In the first meeting with the HR head, they are informed of a PPO possibility (pre-placement offer, i.e., an offer to join the company after their MBA), based on their performance. All of them are eager to convert their internship into a job offer.
Each of them is assigned a mentor who evaluates the intern's performance along with the HR head.

Question 29

Shabnam, who is working on sales executives’ work-life balance, has collected the following details about their frequent travels:

1. Frequent meetings help strengthen relationships with key customers.
2. Travelling has no effect on the personal lives of the sales executives as most of them are single.
3. Travel enhances the financial health of the sales executives since their fixed salaries are low.
4. Frequent travel has no significant impact on market budget, given the current high margins from sales.
5. The sales executives have the autonomy to decide the frequency of their travel.

Shabnam thinks that the frequency of travel is higher than required.
Which of the following combinations of the above reasons can enable Shabnam BEST substantiate her thinking?

Solution

We have to choose the statements which will substantiate Shabnam's thinking that the frequency of travel is higher than required.

Statement 1 can be dismissed as it will do the opposite job.

Statement 2 can also be dismissed as it is not true for all the employees. Also, this situation is subject to change as more of them get married.

Statement 3 is a valid point. As their fixed salaries are low and travelling improves their financial health, the sales executives are more inclined to take more trips than necessary.

Statement 4 is also valid as frequent visits are not required if they don't have any effect on the budget, even though the margins are high in sales. This would mean that there is no advantage to frequent travel.

Statement 5 is also valid. Since the executives have the autonomy to decide the frequency of travel, they can travel more than required.

Thus, 3, 4 and 5 are valid points to substantiate Shabnam's thinking.

Hence, the answer is option C.


Create a FREE account and get:

  • All Quant Formulas and shortcuts PDF
  • XAT previous papers with solutions PDF
  • XAT Trial Classes for FREE

    cracku

    Boost your Prep!

    Download App