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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 2): To improve air quality, the city

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Archit3110

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09 Jul 2024, 08:18

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Quote:

premise : To improve air quality, the city council of a metropolitan area is considering imposing a heavy fine on the use of diesel vehicles within city limits.
conclusion : The city's environmental officer claims that this fine will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the environmental officer's claim depends?

using negation

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will decrease from its current level. ; this does not weaken the conclusion

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will increase from its current level ; it does not weaken the conclusion

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will increase from its current level.; its not clear whether industrial pollution is air , land or water?

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will significantly increase over the next year. ; this weakens the conclusion as cars entering the city will pollute air both in and around city... correct

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will increase from its current level. traffic of what is not clear , cars, bicycles etc...

OPTION D is correct

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09 Jul 2024, 08:18

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The correct answer here is B because if the no of vehicles in the city limits increase, then even though we have heavy fine imposed that would ultimately not work as newer vehicles will come into play. If no of vehicles stay the same, then the argument works, otheriwse not.

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09 Jul 2024, 08:24

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IMO Option B

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

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09 Jul 2024, 08:24

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Goal- improve air quality
Fine on usage of diesel vehicles->reduction of air pollution in the city

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
-funding is out of scope for this qrguement

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
-Yes. If this increases, pollution will increase despite the fines

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
-Even there is slight increase, this doesnot shatter the conclusion

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
- we are talking about diesel vehicles only . hence Out
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
Even if it does, we are not sure if the volume is more diesel driven. hence we can eliminate it

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09 Jul 2024, 08:24

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To determine the assumption on which the environmental officer's claim depends, we need to identify what must be true for the claim that the heavy fine on diesel vehicles will significantly reduce air pollution within a year to hold.

Let's analyze each option:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
This relates to monitoring air quality rather than directly affecting the level of pollution. While it may impact the ability to measure improvements, it does not directly affect the reduction of pollution.

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
If the number of diesel vehicles were to increase, the fine might not be effective in reducing pollution. This is a strong candidate because it directly impacts the effectiveness of the fine in reducing pollution.

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
Although an increase in industrial pollution could offset gains from reducing diesel vehicle pollution, this option is less directly related to the specific measure of imposing fines on diesel vehicles.

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
This is related but more indirect. If more vehicles, regardless of fuel type, were to enter the city, it could complicate the pollution reduction efforts. However, this does not specifically address diesel vehicles, which are the focus of the fine.

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
Similar to option D, this is related but more general. An increase in overall traffic could affect air quality, but this assumption is broader and less directly tied to the specific measure regarding diesel vehicles.

Given the focus of the measure on diesel vehicles, the assumption that the number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level (option B) is essential for the claim. If the number of diesel vehicles were to increase, the fine might not lead to a reduction in pollution.

Thus, Answer: B

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09 Jul 2024, 08:25

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Answer C
If another source was increased the pollution of the city (the industrial here), the reduction of pollution from cars would potentially not prevent the overall decrease in pollution in the city

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09 Jul 2024, 08:29

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(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
It's not directly relevant to our reasoning and hence can't be an assumption.
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
If the number of diesel vehicles increases despite the fine, it would not improve the pollution.
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
It's not directly relevant to our reasoning and hence can't be an assumption.
(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
It's not directly relevant to our reasoning and hence can't be an assumption.
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
This does directly address our reasoning but doesn't specify anything relevant.

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09 Jul 2024, 08:30

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Find assumption question
To improve air quality => conclusion
heavy fine on diesel vehicles => premise
plan to solve: need to make sure no other reasons intervene to desired outcome
A. Irrelevant, funding doesn't affect air quality
B. number of diesel vehicles not increase => but if increase, will be imposed heavy fine => exactly the target of the plan => not necessary to draw to conclusion
D, E. same logic.
C. number of industrial pollution not increase => point out other causes of air pollution. so fine diesel vehicles to reduce pollution from fuel, but if industrial pollution increase => overall air pollution might increase => affect the plan
=> Answer is C

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09 Jul 2024, 08:30

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To strengthen the environmental officer's claim that imposing a heavy fine on diesel vehicles will significantly reduce air pollution within one year, we need to identify an assumption that must hold true for the claim to be valid.

The imposition of a fine on diesel vehicles assumes that the reduction in air pollution will primarily come from the decreased usage or presence of these vehicles. Let's evaluate the options:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.

This is unrelated to the effectiveness of the fine on diesel vehicles in reducing air pollution. Monitoring funding doesn't impact the reduction of pollution caused directly by diesel vehicles.
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

This assumption directly supports the claim. If the number of diesel vehicles doesn't increase, the potential reduction in pollution due to the fine can be more effectively realized.
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.

Industrial pollution is a separate category from vehicle emissions and doesn't affect the impact of the fine on diesel vehicles.
(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.

This relates to external factors affecting overall pollution levels in the city, not specifically the impact of the fine on diesel vehicles.
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.

This assumption is important because an increase in traffic volume could offset any reduction achieved by targeting diesel vehicles with fines.
Among the options, (B) is the assumption that directly supports the environmental officer's claim. If the number of diesel vehicles remains constant (or decreases), then the fine can effectively reduce their contribution to air pollution within the city. Therefore, (B) is the correct answer.

ans B

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09 Jul 2024, 08:34

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To improve air quality, the city council of a metropolitan area is considering imposing a heavy fine on the use of diesel vehicles within city limits. The city's environmental officer claims that this fine will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the environmental officer's claim depends?
It is assumed that curbing only the vehicular pollution (via fine) will significantly reduce air pollution, Accordingly, the contribution of other factors to air pollution is negligible.

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.

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09 Jul 2024, 08:38

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The correct answer is (B). Here is why.
The argument is focusing on imposing strict limits on the diesel consumption so that diesel using cars will be decreased, thereby lowering the air pollution. So we need the answer why the argument holds(the environmentalist's claim that air pollution will be decreased.)
(A) How the funding has direct effect on the diesel usage level. it is kinda unclear. Probably in the real world. But there is not direct linkage between diesel consumption and air pollution in here.
(B) If we use NEGATION technique in here, then the number of diesel car WILL INCREASE. This directly hurts the argument because if the numbers increases, despite the strict fine, many cars will cancel out the effect of it.
(C) not relevant. we are here find the linkage between air pollution and diesel car fine, but it is about industries.
(D) not relevant. same as (C)
(E) not relevant. same as (C).
So correct answer is (B).

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09 Jul 2024, 08:39

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Quote:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.

The argument / claim is NOT concerned about funding allocated to air quality monitoring.
Incorrect

Quote:

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

If the number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will increase from its current level, this fine will not significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year.
If the assumption is negated, the argument falls apart.
Correct

Quote:

The argument / claim is NOT concerned about industrial pollution in the city although it may impact air pollution.
Incorrect

Quote:

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.

The argument / claim is NOT concerned about the number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas but is concerned with number of diesel vehicles within city limits only.
Incorrect

Quote:

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.

The argument / claim is NOT concerned about the overall traffic volume in the city but is concerned with number of diesel vehicles within city limits only.
Incorrect

IMO B

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09 Jul 2024, 08:39

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(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

The core assumption of the author is that diesel vehicles cause majority of pollution. That's why he believes "imposing a heavy fine" will reduce their use and would consequently "significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city". This claim would fall apart if the number of diesel vehicles would actually increase (*surprised Pikachu face*)

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.

These three are good enough assumptions too. However, we are essentially talking about pollution caused by diesel vehicles here and how reducing their number would also significantly reduce the level of pollution too. So these 3 points are irrelevant to this specific point raised here

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09 Jul 2024, 08:41

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To improve air quality, the city council of a metropolitan area is considering imposing a heavy fine on the use of diesel vehicles within city limits. The city's environmental officer claims that this fine will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the environmental officer's claim depends?

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
Irrelevant - Eliminate
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
Yes, negate and it breaks the argument
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
Industrial pollution is not equal to air pollution, it could mean water pollution also, who knows. Eliminate
(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
Number of vehicles, what if they are electric? Eliminate
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
Again volume could mean anything, not particularly Diesel vehicles. Eliminate

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09 Jul 2024, 08:41

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Option B is the only relevant choice

Posted from my mobile device

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09 Jul 2024, 08:42

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Choice C

Plan: Impose heavy fine on the use of diesel vehicles
Goal: Improve air quality

Environmental officer conclusion: Fine will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year

The premise and evidence is related to improving the quality of air, while the conclusion is about reduction in overall levels of air pollution.

Question: Assumption

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level. Funding is out of scope. We don't know how funding impacts the overall plan or execution of the plan Incorrect

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level. For a significant reduction in levels of air pollution, there needs to be a proportional decrease in the number of vehicles that are used. So, just that the numbers will not increase won't help bridge the gap Incorrect

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level. Correct The officer might be considering this when he concludes that Levels of air pollution would significantly reduce. While we know that fines are levied on the diesel vehicles and that to an extent fines might be effective, it is also crucial for other factors contributing to air pollution also not increase.

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year. The reasoning is similar to that of B. Further this implies that if the number of diesel vehicles did not significantly decrease then the fine may not be effective to improve air quality/ reduce air pollution Incorrect

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level. Out of scope. How traffic contributes to air pollution is not specified in the argument. Even if the traffic doesn't increase, the proportion of the vehicles that are highly contributing to the pollution may very well increase, so Incorrect

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09 Jul 2024, 08:46

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Option B??

Not very sure
Conclusion: the fine on diesel vehicles will reduce air pollution in a year
Between B and C
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level. - Yes, negate it.... the number of diesel vehicles will increase, and then more fines will be levied but objectively air pollution is increasing ..?
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level. - does this mean air, water, or sound ..what type of pollution which is why I ELIMINATED THIS OPTION

It could be C also, not very sure

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09 Jul 2024, 08:49

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Bunuel

To improve air quality, the city council of a metropolitan area is considering imposing a heavy fine on the use of diesel vehicles within city limits. The city's environmental officer claims that this fine will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the environmental officer's claim depends?

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.

This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT Club Olympics Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

To identify the assumption underlying the environmental officer's claim, we need to determine what must be true for the fine on diesel vehicles to effectively reduce air pollution.

The claim is that imposing a heavy fine on diesel vehicles will reduce air pollution within one year. This relies on the assumption that the fine will lead to fewer diesel vehicles operating within the city, and hence, lower levels of pollution from these vehicles.

Let's re-examine the options:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.

This relates to the ability to monitor air quality but does not directly affect the reduction in pollution itself.

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

This ensures that the current level of diesel vehicles does not increase, which is relevant but doesn't directly ensure the fine will reduce the number of diesel vehicles.

This relates to industrial pollution, not vehicle pollution, and is less relevant to the claim about diesel vehicles.

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.

This ensures that an influx of vehicles from outside the city does not counteract the fine's effect, which is relevant to maintaining lower pollution levels from diesel vehicles.

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.

This pertains to overall traffic volume, which includes non-diesel vehicles, and is less directly related to the specific impact of the fine on diesel vehicle use.

Among these, the assumption that directly supports the environmental officer's claim that the fine will reduce air pollution is:

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

This assumption is crucial because if the number of diesel vehicles were to increase, the fine might not lead to a significant reduction in pollution, undermining the claim. It directly addresses the impact of the fine on the level of diesel vehicle usage, which is central to reducing pollution.

Thus, the correct answer is:

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

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09 Jul 2024, 08:49

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The environmental officer's claim that imposing a heavy fine on the use of diesel vehicles will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year depends on certain assumptions. We need to identify the assumption that directly affects the connection between the fine on diesel vehicles and the expected reduction in air pollution.

Let's analyze each option:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.

This option is about the monitoring of air quality, not the reduction of air pollution itself. While monitoring is important, the claim is about the reduction in pollution, not the ability to measure it.

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.

This assumption is crucial because if the number of diesel vehicles increases, the fine might not be effective in reducing overall pollution levels. The effectiveness of the fine depends on keeping the number of diesel vehicles at or below current levels.

This is related to other sources of pollution but does not directly address the impact of the fine on diesel vehicles. The officer's claim focuses specifically on reducing pollution from diesel vehicles.

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.

While this could affect overall pollution, it does not directly relate to the effectiveness of the fine on diesel vehicles within the city.

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.

This is somewhat relevant, but the key factor is specifically about diesel vehicles, not overall traffic volume.

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09 Jul 2024, 08:49

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Option (A) suggests that the funding for air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease. While this is important for tracking the results of the fine, it doesn't directly affect whether the fine itself will reduce diesel vehicle usage and subsequent pollution.

Option (B) focuses on the number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city not increasing from its current level. This assumption is crucial because if more diesel vehicles enter the city despite the fine, the intended reduction in air pollution may not be achieved. This directly addresses the effectiveness of the fine in controlling diesel vehicle usage.

Option (C) discusses industrial pollution levels in the city, which, while important for overall air quality, doesn't directly relate to the impact of the fine on diesel vehicle usage.

Option (D) pertains to the number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas. While this could impact overall traffic and air quality, it doesn't specifically address the fine's effectiveness in reducing diesel vehicle usage.

Option (E) talks about the overall traffic volume in the city. This includes all vehicles, not just diesel ones, and doesn't address whether the fine will specifically reduce diesel vehicle usage and subsequent pollution.

Conclusion:
The assumption critical to the environmental officer's claim is that the number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level (Option B). This assumption ensures that the fine on diesel vehicles can effectively reduce their usage, thereby reducing air pollution within the city. Therefore, the answer is B