A month ago, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Albemarle Co

Question

A month ago, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Albemarle County rose 15 cents. Since then, however, each of the gas stations in Albemarle County has reported an increase of at least 20 percent in the aggregate number of gallons purchased.

Which of the following, if true, would best explain why so much more gasoline was purchased despite the steep price increase?

A) in an effort to fund a second refining facility nearby, the oil refinery that serves the majority of the gas stations in Albemarle County raised its prices.

B) A marketing strategy devised by a powerful environmentalist interest group has inspired many commuters who normally drive to work alone to organize car pools with coworkers.

C) A statewide strike of all commercial and commuter railway workers has brought all rail traffic to a halt.

D) Drivers are also purchasing more cans of heavy-grade oil, even though the price per can has remained virtually unchanged.

E) Almost no one who lives within Albemarle County also works within Albemarle County.

gloomybison · Answer

A) in an effort to fund a second refining facility nearby, the oil refinery that serves the majority of the gas stations in Albemarle County raised its prices.
-This doesn't explain why people are buying despite an increase. It only sheds light on why gas prices have increased

B) A marketing strategy devised by a powerful environmentalist interest group has inspired many commuters who normally drive to work alone to organize car pools with coworkers.
-This doesn't really explain anything ı would expect car pooling to lower the amount of oil used

C) A statewide strike of all commercial and commuter railway workers has brought all rail traffic to a halt.
- Correct 
İf railway workers are on strike it means people will not be able tot ravel with trains etc. They will use their personal vehicles or just turn to taxis etc. This will surely increase the demand for oil although oil prices have increased

D) Drivers are also purchasing more cans of heavy-grade oil, even though the price per can has remained virtually unchanged.
-it says price per can didn't change but we are given that prices have increased by %20

E) Almost no one who lives within Albemarle County also works within Albemarle County.
-Irrelevant. It doesn't matter where people live and work

desertEagle · Answer

Argument 
Price of gas increased. Still, there was an increase in consumption

Question Type - Explain the Discrepency  
Why an increase in consumption of gas even though price of gas increased? In most cases, increased prices lead to lower consumption. May be new people came to area and needed more gas. Or some mode of transport were suspended.

A) in an effort to fund a second refining facility nearby, the oil refinery that serves the majority of the gas stations in Albemarle County raised its prices. -->  it gives a reason why the prices were increased. But it does not explain why consumption increased. --> Misdirection -> Out of scope--> Wrong

B) A marketing strategy devised by a powerful environmentalist interest group has inspired many commuters who normally drive to work alone to organize car pools with coworkers. -->  If more commuters go by car pooling with coworkers, consumption will decrease --> Reverse Logic --> Wrong

C) A statewide strike of all commercial and commuter railway workers has brought all rail traffic to a halt. -->  Oh, I see. Now the people affected by strike will have no way but to turn to roadways which will lead to an increase in Gas Consumption. This explains it. --> CORRECT

D) Drivers are also purchasing more cans of heavy-grade oil, even though the price per can has remained virtually unchanged. -->  What would purchasing of heavy grade oil do to consumption of gas? Nothing. Both are separate things. --> Out of Scope and Irrelevant --> WRong

E) Almost no one who lives within Albemarle County also works within Albemarle County. -->  Does it matter? Whether they commute outside town or inside town has no bearing on consumption. They will have to commute anyways. --> Out of Scope and Irrelevant --> Wrong

A month ago, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Albemarle Co

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A month ago, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Albemarle Co

Prep Toolkit

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