There is only one major road, Freeway Z, that links County X and County Y. The border of the two counties is primarily defined by a mountain range, over which the construction of new roads is severely restricted by environmental laws. A cost-effective solution to the problem of traffic congestion on Freeway Z is to build a commuter train tunnel through the mountain range. The successful implementation of this plan would cost far less than expanding the existing freeway and would also reduce the number of cars clogging the roads in both counties.

Which of the following, if true, could proponents of the plan above most appropriately cite as a piece of evidence for the soundness of their plan?

A. An effective commuter train tunnel between the counties would require major investment in mass transit within both counties.
B. The majority of all vehicles on the nation’s freeways are traveling from one state to another.
C. 60% of the cars on Freeway Z are driven by people who live in County Y and work in County X.
D. Many new freeways are being built in areas that are presently served by commuter trains.
E. A large proportion of the vehicles on Freeway Z are commercial trucks carrying transcontinental shipments.


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You're looking for an answer that could be used as further evidence for the soundness of the plan-- in other words, a new premise that will SUPPORT/STRENGTHEN the conclusion that successful implementation of the plan will (1) cost less than freeway expansion and (2) reduce congestion in both counties.


(A) We're looking for something to help prove that the tunnel would cost LESS than freeway expansion. We don't know anything about the cost of freeway expansion (although the expansion sounds difficult, and probably expensive), but this choice makes the tunnel sound really expensive! Eliminate.

(B) If most vehicles on the freeway are taking interstate trips, then the tunnel linking County X and County Y would probably not reduce congestion in these counties, since the majority of that congestion is coming from vehicles that would stay on the interstate freeway. Eliminate.

(D) That's nice, but does it affect our conclusion? Who cares about "many" freeways -- we only care about Freeway Z, and Counties X and Y.

(E) Transcontinental trucks probably wouldn't be hugely motivated (or even know about) a direct tunnel between counties X and Y. This choice is out for the same reason that choice B is out.

If 60% of the traffic on the freeway is from people commuting between X and Y, then a commuter train between these two cities might well be an appealing solution to their transportation needs, and motivate them to abandon driving on the congested highway. Does this choice prove the conclusion? Absolutely not. But it does provide additional support (and the other answer choices have concrete flaws that knock them out entirely).
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basically C states the proportion 60% on the road are most frequent travelers as they have their job in other state hence they will for sure commute the maximum and hence this lays stress on the conclusion that the number of cars clogging will be reduced.

hence C is the best choice over here.

HTH
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A. An effective commuter train tunnel between the counties would require major investment in mass transit within both counties.- No as goes against
B. The majority of all vehicles on the nation’s freeways are traveling from one state to another- irrelevant
C. 60% of the cars on Freeway Z are driven by people who live in County Y and work in County X.- Correct
D. Many new freeways are being built in areas that are presently served by commuter trains. -Irrelevant
E. A large proportion of the vehicles on Freeway Z are commercial trucks carrying transcontinental shipments.-Irrelevant

There is only one major road, Freeway Z, that links County X and County Y. The border of the two counties is primarily defined by a mountain range, over which the construction of new roads is severely restricted by environmental laws. A cost-effective solution to the problem of traffic congestion on Freeway Z is to build a commuter train tunnel through the mountain range. The successful implementation of this plan would cost far less than expanding the existing freeway and would also reduce the number of cars clogging the roads in both counties.

Which of the following, if true, could proponents of the plan above most appropriately cite as a piece of evidence for the soundness of their plan?
(A)An effective commuter train tunnel between the counties would require major investment in mass transit within both counties.
(B)The majority of all vehicles on the nation’s freeways are traveling from one state to another.
(C)60% of the cars on Freeway Z are driven by people who live in County Y and work in County X.
(D)Many new freeways are being built in areas that are presently served by commuter trains.
(E)A large proportion of the vehicles on Freeway Z are commercial trucks carrying transcontinental shipments.

Need help........

b is a trap answer, if they build the train, traffic won't necessarily be relieved. Commuters may use the train but the traffic might just be due to people passing through.

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