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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp Updated on: 09 Nov 2023, 09:31
Originally posted by garimavyas on 16 May 2011, 10:54.
Last edited by Bunuel on 09 Nov 2023, 09:31, edited 7 times in total.
Renamed the topic and edited the question.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no benefit.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.

(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines.

(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.

(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.

(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase.


ID 16852

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Note: The other question based upon the same argument is already discussed at the following link. Hence modified the thread to keep discussion focused on the mentioned qs.
https://gmatclub.com/forum/according-to ... 51393.html
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D
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 12 Jul 2012, 21:08
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garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line
would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five
years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the
proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be
rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no
benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to
finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?
(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at
which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated
toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect,
many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter
traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong
opposition to the proposed toll increase.

Show more

Responding to a pm:

The plan is to finance the improvements by increasing the toll on 2 highway bridges. What casts doubt on the plan?
The plan will be in trouble if the increase does not lead to increased collection.

Option (C) says that commuters can 'postpone' the effects of the increase. So it may take a little longer to get in the increased collection but you probably will see the increase.

Option (D) says that commuters switch to another route when toll is increased. So the overall collection may be actually less than before. This certainly casts doubt on the plan.

Hence, answer is (D)
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 06 Jun 2016, 03:31
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garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line
would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five
years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the
proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be
rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no
benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to
finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?
(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at
which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated
toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect,
many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter
traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong
opposition to the proposed toll increase.


Responding to a pm:

The plan is to finance the improvements by increasing the toll on 2 highway bridges. What casts doubt on the plan?
The plan will be in trouble if the increase does not lead to increased collection.

Option (C) says that commuters can 'postpone' the effects of the increase. So it may take a little longer to get in the increased collection but you probably will see the increase.

Option (D) says that commuters switch to another route when toll is increased. So the overall collection may be actually less than before. This certainly casts doubt on the plan.

Hence, answer is (D)

Can you please explain why option A is incorrect?
Show more


Note what the question asks you:

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

You need to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the plan i.e. if the plan is implemented, will it be effective? Will it bring in additional revenue?
You don't have to worry about whether the plan can be implemented or not. The point is - Will it be effective?

Option (A) gives you a possible hurdle in implementing the plan. It doesn't talk about the effectiveness of the plan once it is implemented.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 24 Oct 2021, 03:24
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no benefit.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

Question Type: Weaken the Argument

Conclusion: The authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected

Task at hand: Find an option that shows that raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges is not an effective idea.

A. Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase can be raised. This may be required by law, but this will not help us show that raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges is not an effective idea.

B. Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines. This may make it seem like increasing the tolls will incur an additional cost and this will, in turn, make it seem like raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges is not an effective idea. However, paying a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines is a one-time expense at the most. So this does not show that raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges is not an effective idea.

C. Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase. They may do so, but even if they buy 1000 more tokens than usual, but this will not help us show that raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges is not an effective idea.

D. When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved. This shows that if the toll is increased, even the number of people who regularly use these bridges and pay toll will stop using these bridges. This shows that show that raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges is not an effective idea.

E. The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase. The chairman might have opposed the proposed toll increase. But this shows that show that raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges is not an effective idea.

- Nitha Jay
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 24 Feb 2014, 12:09
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Hi,

I chose Option (E). Can anyone explain why it is wrong, please.
OE says Oppositions to increase the toll is expected; it does not mean that the plan is less effective…
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Hi,

I chose Option (E). Can anyone explain why it is wrong, please.
OE says Oppositions to increase the toll is expected; it does not mean that the plan is less effective…
Show more

"would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan...?"

We need to find a reason the plan will not be effective i.e. a reason why once the plan is brought into action, it will fail to provide the required collection. Taking small numbers, say if 100 people cross that bridge everyday and if the toll is increased by $20, the plan expects to collect $2000 per day for the rail line improvements.

(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter
traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.

If many people switch their routes, the toll collected will not be according to expectations. Hence the plan may not be effective.

(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong
opposition to the proposed toll increase.

The authority has proposed this plan. We are not concerned with who is supporting it and who is opposing it. What we need to do is find why the plan may not work once it is brought into action. A reason why it may not be effective. We are not concerned with whether it will actually be brought into action.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 09 Sep 2015, 11:38
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garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase.

Note: The other question based upon the same argument is already discussed at the following link. Hence modified the thread to keep discussion focused on the mentioned qs.
according-to-the-tristate-transportation-authority-making-151393.html
Show more

Seriously, why should we assume that B is less costly than D. We have no information whatsoever indicating that the private contractors do not cost much more than the 20% regula commuters who switch to an alternative route. From logic okay, D does weaken the most, but we have to assume a litte right...?
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 10 Sep 2015, 00:04
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reto
garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase.

Note: The other question based upon the same argument is already discussed at the following link. Hence modified the thread to keep discussion focused on the mentioned qs.
according-to-the-tristate-transportation-authority-making-151393.html

Seriously, why should we assume that B is less costly than D. We have no information whatsoever indicating that the private contractors do not cost much more than the 20% regula commuters who switch to an alternative route. From logic okay, D does weaken the most, but we have to assume a litte right...?
Show more

Can the cost of adjusting 20 machines be at all comparable with the toll paid by a huge chunk of commuters for the next 5 yrs?
It's like saying I don't know whether I will become rich if I win the Wimbledon because I will first need to buy a new racket! It's not logical.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 06 Jun 2016, 00:53
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garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line
would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five
years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the
proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be
rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no
benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to
finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?
(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at
which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated
toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect,
many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter
traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong
opposition to the proposed toll increase.


Responding to a pm:

The plan is to finance the improvements by increasing the toll on 2 highway bridges. What casts doubt on the plan?
The plan will be in trouble if the increase does not lead to increased collection.

Option (C) says that commuters can 'postpone' the effects of the increase. So it may take a little longer to get in the increased collection but you probably will see the increase.

Option (D) says that commuters switch to another route when toll is increased. So the overall collection may be actually less than before. This certainly casts doubt on the plan.

Hence, answer is (D)
Show more

Can you please explain why option A is incorrect?
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 22 Nov 2016, 04:29
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garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase.

Note: The other question based upon the same argument is already discussed at the following link. Hence modified the thread to keep discussion focused on the mentioned qs.
according-to-the-tristate-transportation-authority-making-151393.html
Show more

Hi experts,
this question is about efficiency of a plan. and I picked up C
I have a question about this type.
some are judge efficiency by killing the valid of the plan :
such as OG 13, CR# 30
The Eurasian ruffe, a fish species inadvertently introduced into North America’s Great Lakes in recent years, feeds on the eggs of lake whitefish, a native species, thus threatening the lakes’ natural ecosystem. To help track the ruffe’s spread, government agencies have produced wallet-sized cards about the ruffe. The cards contain pictures of the ruffe and explain the danger they pose; the cards also request anglers to report any ruffe they catch.

Which of the following, if true, would provide most support for the prediction that the agencies’ action will have its intended effect?

(D) The ruffe is one of several nonnative species in the Great Lakes whose existence threatens the survival of lake whitefish populations there.

OG13 CR #40
A new law gives ownership of patents—documents providing exclusive right to make and sell an invention—to universities, not the government, when those patents result from government-sponsored university research. Administrators at Logos University plan to sell any patents they acquire to corporations in order to fund programs to improve undergraduate teaching.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the viability of the college administrators’ plan described above?

(D) Government-sponsored research conducted at Logos University for the most part duplicates research already completed by several profit-making corporations.

OG13 CR# 15
A certain automaker aims to increase its market share by deeply discounting its vehicles’ prices for the next several months. The discounts will cut into profits, but because they will be heavily advertised the manufacturer hopes that they will attract buyers away from rival manufacturers’ cars. In the longer term, the automaker envisions that customers initially attracted by the discounts may become loyal customers.

In assessing the plan’s chances of achieving its aim, it would be most useful to know which of the following?

(A) Whether the automaker’s competitors are likely to respond by offering deep discounts on their own products


but others are not, such as this one.

I am a little confused,
any difference ?


waiting for your reply

have a nice day
>_~

Zoe
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 23 Nov 2016, 08:36
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garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase.

Note: The other question based upon the same argument is already discussed at the following link. Hence modified the thread to keep discussion focused on the mentioned qs.
according-to-the-tristate-transportation-authority-making-151393.html

Hi experts,
this question is about efficiency of a plan. and I picked up C
I have a question about this type.
some are judge efficiency by killing the valid of the plan :
such as OG 13, CR# 30
The Eurasian ruffe, a fish species inadvertently introduced into North America’s Great Lakes in recent years, feeds on the eggs of lake whitefish, a native species, thus threatening the lakes’ natural ecosystem. To help track the ruffe’s spread, government agencies have produced wallet-sized cards about the ruffe. The cards contain pictures of the ruffe and explain the danger they pose; the cards also request anglers to report any ruffe they catch.

Which of the following, if true, would provide most support for the prediction that the agencies’ action will have its intended effect?

(D) The ruffe is one of several nonnative species in the Great Lakes whose existence threatens the survival of lake whitefish populations there.

OG13 CR #40
A new law gives ownership of patents—documents providing exclusive right to make and sell an invention—to universities, not the government, when those patents result from government-sponsored university research. Administrators at Logos University plan to sell any patents they acquire to corporations in order to fund programs to improve undergraduate teaching.

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the viability of the college administrators’ plan described above?

(D) Government-sponsored research conducted at Logos University for the most part duplicates research already completed by several profit-making corporations.

OG13 CR# 15
A certain automaker aims to increase its market share by deeply discounting its vehicles’ prices for the next several months. The discounts will cut into profits, but because they will be heavily advertised the manufacturer hopes that they will attract buyers away from rival manufacturers’ cars. In the longer term, the automaker envisions that customers initially attracted by the discounts may become loyal customers.

In assessing the plan’s chances of achieving its aim, it would be most useful to know which of the following?

(A) Whether the automaker’s competitors are likely to respond by offering deep discounts on their own products


but others are not, such as this one.

I am a little confused,
any difference ?


waiting for your reply

have a nice day
>_~

Zoe
Show more

It all depends on the question asked.

"Which of the following, if true, would provide most support for the prediction that the agencies’ action will have its intended effect?"
You need to find what will support the plan. The correct answer here is
"(C) Most people who fi sh recreationally on the Great Lakes are interested in the preservation of the lake
whitefi sh because it is a highly prized game fish."

"Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the viability of the college administrators’ plan described above?"
Here you need to cast doubt on the plan i.e. provide a reason why it may not work.

"In assessing the plan’s chances of achieving its aim, it would be most useful to know which of the following?"
In this question, you need to find the option that affects the plan. Whether it strengthens the plan or weakens it is immaterial. But it does need to have an effect on the plan.

Finally in the original question,
"1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?"
you need to weaken the plan.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 08 Dec 2016, 04:30
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VeritasPrepKarishma
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line
would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five
years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the
proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be
rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no
benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to
finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?
(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at
which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated
toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect,
many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter
traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong
opposition to the proposed toll increase.


Responding to a pm:

The plan is to finance the improvements by increasing the toll on 2 highway bridges. What casts doubt on the plan?
The plan will be in trouble if the increase does not lead to increased collection.

Option (C) says that commuters can 'postpone' the effects of the increase. So it may take a little longer to get in the increased collection but you probably will see the increase.

Option (D) says that commuters switch to another route when toll is increased. So the overall collection may be actually less than before. This certainly casts doubt on the plan.

Hence, answer is (D)
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IMO, if the plan takes longer time to execute, then the planned time, which is 5 years, is compromised. So, won't it cast doubt on effectiveness of authority's plan?
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 03 Jan 2017, 07:26
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abhishekaqsais
VeritasPrepKarishma
garimavyas
According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain improvements to the main commuter rail line
would increase ridership dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five
years by raising automobile tolls on the two high-way bridges along the route the rail line serves. Although the
proposed improvements are indeed needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be
rejected because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something from which they receive no
benefit.

1.. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to
finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?
(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at
which objections to the proposed increase can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private contractor to adjust the automated
toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect,
many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter
traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club that has registered strong
opposition to the proposed toll increase.


Responding to a pm:

The plan is to finance the improvements by increasing the toll on 2 highway bridges. What casts doubt on the plan?
The plan will be in trouble if the increase does not lead to increased collection.

Option (C) says that commuters can 'postpone' the effects of the increase. So it may take a little longer to get in the increased collection but you probably will see the increase.

Option (D) says that commuters switch to another route when toll is increased. So the overall collection may be actually less than before. This certainly casts doubt on the plan.

Hence, answer is (D)

IMO, if the plan takes longer time to execute, then the planned time, which is 5 years, is compromised. So, won't it cast doubt on effectiveness of authority's plan?
Show more

Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?

The question is about effectiveness of the "plan to finance" the project, not plan to complete the project. Hence option C is wrong.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 11 Dec 2018, 00:22
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Evaluation of a Plan
Situation: A transportation authority plans to pay for improvements to a commuter rail line by raising automobile tolls on the two highway bridges along the route the rail line serves. One objection to this plan is that drivers will have to pay for something from which they will not benefit.

Reasoning: What casts doubt on how well the financing plan would work? Any financing plan is based on estimates of costs and revenues, and any factor that significantly increases costs or lowers revenues threatens the effectiveness of that plan. The authority’s plan makes a revenue projection based on the current number of drivers who use the bridges and thus will pay the increased tolls. If there is a precedent that a significant percentage of regular commuters had previously used an alternate route in order to avoid the increased tolls on these specific bridges, then the revenue basis for the financing plan is considerably undermined. If that substitute route has since become an even more appealing alternative, the effectiveness of the plan is further threatened.

A) Objections to the plan at public hearings do not affect how well the financing plan will work.
B) The one-time costs of changing the automatic toll-collectors would not be significant given the five years of revenue from the increased tolls.
C) Revenue lost to token hoarding is insignificant compared to the revenue gained from five years of increased tolls.
D) Correct. This statement properly identifies a factor that weakens the authority’s financing plan.
E) Opposition to the increased toll can be expected; it does not mean that the plan will be less effective.

The correct answer is D.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 02 Jul 2019, 00:30
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AjiteshArun Can't we infer from option C that authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years may take more than 5 years because many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase?
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 02 Jul 2019, 22:06
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AjiteshArun Can't we infer from option C that authority plans to finance these improvements over the course of five years may take more than 5 years because many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase?
Show more
Perhaps, but just how many tokens are commuters likely to buy?

Keep in mind that we need to mark the best option out of the 5 given to us. Option D does far more damage to the plan than option C does.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 19 Jul 2019, 04:26
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hi,
i agree that option d is correct, but it is suggesting something that happened in past.
how can we be sure that same will occur this time. Please throw some light on how to deal
with such options.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 24 Jul 2019, 20:09
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Priyanka2018
hi,
i agree that option d is correct, but it is suggesting something that happened in past.
how can we be sure that same will occur this time. Please throw some light on how to deal
with such options.
Show more
We don't have to be SURE about anything! The questions asks, "Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing bridge tolls?"

The example described in (D) suggests that something similar could happen if bridge tolls are raised again. The fact that this might happen is enough to cast doubt on the plan.
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According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain imp 01 Jan 2020, 23:02
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Please any one help:
I chose C.
D: Lost 20% doesn't mean that total revenue lost. And 'last time" doesn't mean that it happens again "this time".
There are many concern about D.
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DavidDinh
Please any one help:
I chose C.
D: Lost 20% doesn't mean that total revenue lost. And 'last time" doesn't mean that it happens again "this time".
There are many concern about D.
Show more
Quote:
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
Show more
As VeritasKarishma has pointed out, postponing the effects of a toll increase does not negate those effects.

In addition, Choice (C) does not provide any information regarding the amount of time between announcing a toll increase and implementing the increase. It's possible that the Tristate Transportation Authority could simply shorten the amount of time between announcement and implementation, thus minimizing the amount of toll fare that is lost due to commuters buying more tokens than usual.

If (C) were true, the Authority's financing plan may not be fully realized in the optimal amount of time. But the plan is still ultimately effective, and leaves us little to no reason to doubt it.

Now let's compare this to the impact of Choice (D):

Quote:
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20 percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer alternative route that has since been improved.
Show more
As I've mentioned earlier, we should select the answer choice that casts more doubt on the effectiveness of this financing plan than any other answer choice. So if you're going to challenge choice (D), you have to explain how it casts LESS doubt than EVERY other answer choice.

  • This is not the same as PROVING that 20% of bridge commuters account for 20% of revenue. We know that 1 of 5 paying commuters took a different route, which logically would result in some loss of toll revenue for that bridge. Even if we don't know the degree of loss, we know that loss of revenue is possible, and that's sufficient to cast doubt on the financing plan.
  • This is also not the same as PROVING that bridge commuters will definitely behave the same way in this particular. We know that commuters switched to the alternate route before any improvements to that route were made; this further narrows down the cause of this change to the bridge toll itself. This raises our expectation that increasing tolls in the future could lead to similar behavior, and this is sufficient to cast doubt on the financing plan.

And again, the doubts raised by (D) are greater than anything else raised by the other 4 answer choices. That's why we keep (D) and move on.
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