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

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09 Jul 2024, 08:51

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A is the assumption that's required for the fines to be levied. It assumes that the current air quality monitoring funds are enough, and hence they can execute the plan without any hindrances.

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Bunuel

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A is out of scope as the argument doenot talk of funding.
B even if the number of deisel vehicles increases heavy fine will enforce people to decrease the usage.
C Yes the author does not consider the pollution from other source. The fine will reduce the pollution from deisel vehicle but if other source increases the pollution the total level of air poolution will be not be reduced. This breaks the conclusion.
D Similar to B.
E Similar to B.

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09 Jul 2024, 08:55

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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?

Conclusion -> Imposing a heavy fine will deter the use of diesel vehicles in city, significantly reducing the level of air pollution in the city.

Choice analysis

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
We are not concerned with funding allocated to air quality monitoring. Wrong choice

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
We are concerned with decrease in use of diesel vehicles in city not increase from its current level. Wrong choice

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
Let's assume the industrial pollution increases from 100 units to 101 units and the pollution decrease from less usage of diesel vehicle is from 100 units to 50 units. Even though there's an increase in industrial pollution but it's not significant enough to break the conclusion. The key word here is significant. Wrong choice

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
This choice correctly uses the word significantly. This means that if there's a significant increase in traffic entering, than the expected (significant) decrease in air pollution may not happen. Correct Choice

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
Like choice C, significant not present here. If this choice is true, it would not break the conclusion. Wrong choice

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D
If the no of vehicles entering the city increases , the air pollution may increase in that year and the claim will no be valid .

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09 Jul 2024, 09:32

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Note that the argument talks about fining only those diesel vehicles within city limits to significantly reduce air pollution. What if those vehicles that come from outside the city limits cause excessive air pollution. This needs to be an assumption factored in the argument.

A - Irrelevant as we are not concerned about funding in the context of this argument.

B - Even if the number of vehicles used within the city increase, the fines will still help in reducing air pollution. Not B

C - We are not concerned with industrial pollution. We are concerned with air pollution from diesel vehicles.

D - This needs to be an assumption as if the number of vehicles outside the city is increasing, it'll destroy our argument that air pollution will decrease.

E - Even if overall traffic volume increases, the fines will help reduce air pollution.

Therefore, D

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09 Jul 2024, 09:35

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Quote:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
- Monitoring of air quality doesn't affect the actual air quality. Incorrect.

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
- Correct. If the number of diesel vehicles increase, it means the fine would not have significant impact.

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
- Incorrect. Even if this does increase, it doesn't tell us whether the reduction from diesel fines would be effective or not overall.

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
- Incorrect. Same reasoning as C
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
- Incorrect. Same reasoning as C

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09 Jul 2024, 09:48

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The environmental officer claims the fine will reduce air pollution by targeting diesel vehicles. However, if the number of diesel vehicles increases, the effectiveness of the fine in reducing pollution weakens.
Therefore, Option B - the environmental officer's claim depends on the assumption that the number of diesel vehicles in the city won't increase significantly is Correct.

Lets consider the other options -
Option A - Funding for monitoring might affect data collection but doesn't directly impact pollution levels.
Option C - Industrial pollution is a separate source and not affected by the fine on vehicles.
Option D - Vehicles from outside contribute to pollution, but the question focuses on the city's diesel vehicles.
Option E - Overall traffic volume might change, but the key factor is the number of diesel vehicles.

Answer B

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The environmental officer's claim is that imposing a heavy fine on the use of diesel vehicles within city limits will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year. This claim depends on certain assumptions about factors that could affect air pollution levels.

Let's evaluate each option to determine which assumption is necessary for the claim:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
- While maintaining air quality monitoring funding is important, it does not directly affect whether the fine on diesel vehicles will reduce pollution. This is not a necessary assumption for the claim.

(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, the expected reduction in air pollution might not occur. This assumption is necessary because the claim relies on reducing the number of diesel vehicles.

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
- Industrial pollution is a separate source of air pollution. While it could impact overall air quality, the claim specifically addresses pollution from diesel vehicles. This assumption is not directly related to the claim.

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
- If the number of vehicles, particularly diesel vehicles, entering the city increases significantly, the expected reduction in pollution from imposing fines might not be achieved. This assumption is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the fine within city limits.

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
- If overall traffic volume increases, even with fewer diesel vehicles, the reduction in air pollution might not be significant. This assumption is relevant but not as directly related as options B and D.

Among these options, (B) and (D) are the most directly related to the environmental officer's claim. However, (B) is more critical because it directly addresses the population of diesel vehicles, which is the target of the fine.

Therefore, the assumption on which the environmental officer's claim most depends 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, 09:53

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Bunuel

This question was provided by GMAT Club
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Assumption + Planning
Conclusion fine => improve air quality => reduction of air pollution
Assumption : fine => reduction on number of diesel vehicles

A Out of Scope
B Addresses the assumption
C The argument is not concerned with industrial pollution. Out of Scope
D Talks about Vehicles not Diesel vehicles or about air pollution. Out of Scope
E Talks about Traffic. Out of Scope

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Bunuel

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

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The key here is the verb "reduce" in:
"will significantly reduce the level of air pollution in the city within one year".

A is irrelevant because there would be pollution whether it is monitored or not.

In B, D and E it says: "number of vehicles... wil not increase..."
will not increase = stay the same, so there is no reduction.

C is correct:
He expects that the number of vehicles will be reduced, but to reduce pollution, the rest of the pollutants must not increase.

IMO C

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Bunuel

This question was provided by GMAT Club
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The text says :
There is a problem with diesel vehicles causing air pollution (declining air quality). Hence, city admin considers imposing heavy fines on diesel vehicles plying in city.
Conclusion : More fine on diesel vehicle -> Solve City Air pollution

Option A: We are not really concerned about how air pollution/quality is monitored. We are more concerned about the Fine on diesel vehicle -> Solve City Air pollution
Option B: Potential Candidate. More Diesel Vehicles, although more fine but would increase air pollution. Language of the option states "The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level."
Negation : The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will increase from its current level. (Destroys the conclusion)
Option C: External factor. May or may not be related. Can't say. Text is not concerned about Industries. There can be other factors as well such as Household emissions etc.
Option D: The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year. A bit vague. What if the vehicles owned by city residents increases? What if the vehicles are not diesel vehicles? Maybe Teslas
Option E: Can include all sorts of vehicles ..not only limited to Diesel vehicles

According to me B

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09 Jul 2024, 10:13

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The plan of the council is to reduce the use of diesel vehicles within city limits, to reduce level of air pollution.

The plan since revolves around reduction of diesel vehicles hence the assumption will be something which decides the effectiveness of the plan.

Let's analyse the options:

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level. - This is not related to the context set in the passage.
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level. - If the number of vehicles increase the plan won't work. Hence, this is an important assumption that, if the fines are imposed the number of vehicles will not increase.
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level. - The proposal is dealing with air pollution by trying to reduce diesel vehicles. No info is provided about the current level of industrial pollution.
(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.
- In both D and E nothing is mentioned about number of diesel vehicles.

Correct Option: B

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09 Jul 2024, 10:21

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Quote:

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. - Conclusion

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. - There is no mention of funding in the argument
(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level. - If # of diesel vehicles increase from current level then the argument falls apart. The fine imposed doesn't have the expected impact on air quality.
(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level. Even if industrial pollution increases the fine imposed can reduce air pollution by reducing usage of diesel vehicles
(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year. Even if numberof vehicles increases the fine imposed can reduce air pollution by reducing usage of diesel vehicles
(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level. Even if traffic volume increases the fine imposed can reduce air pollution by reducing usage of diesel vehicles

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09 Jul 2024, 10:22

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The correct answer should be option - C

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09 Jul 2024, 10:22

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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.
- Nowhere in the passage do we talk about funding or related issues. Eliminate

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
- Even if they increase, a heavy penalty will lead to people not using their vehicles. Eliminate

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
- Industrial pollution is not the issue; hence, it is not the right assumption. Eliminate

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
- Not the right assumption as there is a heavy fine for any diesel vehicle, so no diesel vehicle will be entering the area. Eliminate

(E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
- Correct, due to no diesel vehicles, people might buy more gasoline vehicles, leading to more traffic volume in the city than at the current level.

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09 Jul 2024, 10:32

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Using Assumption negation technique on C, this will weaken the conclusion as this will show that Industrial pollution is the cause of air quality degradation and not diesel vehicles.

Posted from my mobile device

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09 Jul 2024, 10:45

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Question-
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.

Answer-

Here it is being assumed that there will be a constant level of industrial pollution and the environmental officer focuses on the impact of the fine on diesel vehicles (specifically) and its potential effect on air quality.
If industrial pollution increases significantly, it can break the argument as the environmental officer's claim will become less certain.
Thus C is the correct answer, and the rest of the options can be eliminated by POE.

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09 Jul 2024, 10:46

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(A) is about monitoring air quality, which is important for measuring pollution levels but not directly related to the reduction of pollution itself.
(B) this assumption is necessary because if the number of diesel vehicles increases despite the fine, the reduction in air pollution might not occur.
(C) while this is important, the claim specifically targets the reduction of pollution from diesel vehicles, not industrial pollution.
(D) this is related to the total number of vehicles and could affect pollution levels, but it is not specifically focused on diesel vehicles.
(E) this could impact pollution levels but does not specifically address the use of diesel vehicles.

Then, answer B

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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.

(A) The funding allocated to air quality monitoring in the city will not decrease from its current level.
No discussion about funds. Eliminate.

(B) The number of diesel vehicles currently used within the city will not increase from its current level.
Even if the diesel vehicles do not increase, they might still remain the same. The usage of these vehicles might increase or remain the same. Thus the pollution might remain the same or even increase without increase in the number of diesel vehicles. Eliminate.

(C) The amount of industrial pollution in the city will not increase from its current level.
The passage talks about diesel vehicles. We dont care about other players in the game. Eliminate.

(D) The number of vehicles entering the city from nearby areas will not significantly increase over the next year.
The Officer is definitely assuming that if he is able to control the usage of diesel vehicles within the city he will be able to bring down the pollution level. The main assumption here is that there is no vehicle coming from outside the city to ruin his plans. Correct answer.

E) The overall traffic volume in the city will not increase from its current level.
We have to focus on diesel vehicles only. This is a trap choice. Eliminate.

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