A business analysis of the Appenian railroad system divided its long-d

Argument Construction

Situation In the Appenian railroad system, interurban routes generally carry enough passengers to be profitable, but few rural routes do.

Reasoning What would suggest that closing unprofitable rural routes would not enhance the railroad systems profitability?

Any evidence that closing the unprofitable rural routes would
indirectly reduce the profitability of other components of the railroad system would support the conclusion that closing those rural routes will not enhance the system's
profitability. Thus, a statement providing such evidence would logically complete the passage.

A Correct. This suggests that closing the rural routes could discourage many passengers from traveling on the profitable interurban routes as well, thus reducing the profitability of the railroad system as a whole.

B Even if some of the least used rural routes have already been closed, it remains true that most of theremaining rural routes are too little used to be profitable.

C Closing very old routes would be at least as likely to enhance the railroad system's profitability as closing newer routes would be.

D Even if there is better railroad service to some large cities than others, closing unprofitable rural routes could still enhance the system's profitability.

E Even if suburban routes are the most heavily used and profitable, closing underused, unprofitable rural routes could still enhance the system's profitability.

The correct answer is A.