Civil Engineer: Trade between the northern and southern cities of our state has stagnated greatly. There are few reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities, so in order to spur economic growth in this state, we must build a freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities, that passes no more than five miles away from each city. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the civil engineer’s reasoning? A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state. B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities. C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system. D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities. E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system

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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 1): Civil Engineer: Trade between the

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The paragraph suggest to construct a freeway within 5 miles of cities for improving trade.

The statement which weakens the conclusion is option A as it says a Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade.

Further other options
B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities. Factual Eliminate
C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system.
Factual Eliminate
D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities.
Strengthen Eliminate
E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system
Not exactly contradicts. Eliminate

Correct answer is A

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B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities.

This option states, that the lack of methods is not a rather small issue compared to others, hence, building a freeway would not significantly improve the situation, if the other factors aren't fixed.

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A. Out of scope, no discussion based on distance of freeway.
B. Correct, argument is based on reliable menthol of transport being the issue with lack of economic growth. This option presents another reason. Answer!
C. Irrelevant, there is no discussion of budget.
D. Out of scope, closeness is not discussed here.
E. Another plan, rather strengthens the part of argument that reliable method of transport is the reason for lack of trade.

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Conclusion is " we must build a freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities, that passes no more than five miles away from each city.

A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state.

Correct: If building freeway that passes as much as ten miles is sufficient, then there is no reason to build a pass less than or equal to five miles. The conclusion says we must. Hence, this weakens.

B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities.

This option is irrelevant. Even if there are other important causes, the focus is on building freeway. Eliminate B.

C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system.

Any impediments to the plan is not of importance. We can ignore this option.

D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities.

The reason for growth of traffic is out of scope. The conclusion lies down an action that needs to be taken. We can eliminate D.

E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system

Alternative plans are not in scope to the conclusion. Eliminate E.

Option A

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A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state.

Weakens because it disproves the statement "no more than five miles" as 10 miles is sufficient

B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities.

This doesn't disprove the argument, this is still an issue despite other issues existing

C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system.

Financial issue is separate and doesn't disprove engineer's reasoning.

D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities.

Strengthens the argument

E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system

Both can be true together.

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A - It does not weaken the conclusion it merely suggests that Freeway 10KM far from cities will also be fine - REJECT

B- Even if there are 100 of other factors that impact trade between two group of cities a Freeway can still improve trade between two cities. - Reject

C- well if we don't have budget then we can't build a freeway and hence plan of building a freeway is weakened - Keep it for now

D- This does not weaken the plan in any way instead it strengthens it a little. - Reject

E- OK even if we can slightly improve transportation without building freeway this does not challenge the plan in any way as freeway can drastically improve transportation - Reject

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This is a weaken the argument question.

Lets find the conclusion: freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities to spur economic growth (it's a plan)
Premise: Trade between the northern and southern cities of our state has stagnated greatly; few reliable methods of transporting goods.

Find and answer that cast doubt on the plan, that logically connects with premise and conclusion.

A. Does not weaken. Good to know what it will increase trade.

B. No effect on the argument (freeway to spur economic growth)

C. If we cannot finance it, this a variable that could ruin the plan. Weakens the argument!

D. This does not weaken. If anything it strengthens it.

E. This might be true, but it does not weaken the existing argument. The argument says build freeway to spur econ growth, so we need to focus on that.

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I think A, by elimination. Also, its contradicting the conclusion as it says 10 miles is sufficient whereas conclusion states shoudnt be more than 5

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Option A is the answer.
The conclusion is "in order to spur economic growth in this state, we must build a freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities, that passes no more than five miles away from each city."

A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state.
Option A is directly weakening , showing that even if freeway system passes 10 miles away , then also it is sufficient.
Hence , the conclusion is weakened.

B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities.
Then also it can be that "in order to spur economic growth in this state, we must build a freeway system".
We must do other things as well and at the same time , build a freeway system too.
C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system.
Irrelevant. The budget constraint is a challenge that needs to be overcome to meet the solution .
D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities.
Irrelevant.
E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system.
Still , the conclusion is valid and hence not a weakener.

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Civil Engineer: Trade between the northern and southern cities of our state has stagnated greatly. There are few reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities, so in order to spur economic growth in this state, we must build a freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities, that passes no more than five miles away from each city.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the civil engineer’s reasoning?

A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state.
The statement most seriously weakens the civil engineer’s reasoning by stating that building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state instead of a freeway system that passes as much as five miles from each city
Weakens the civil engineer's reasoning

B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities.
There may be alternative cause for stagnation in trade between the northern and southern cities of our state but does not weaken the conclusion that in order to spur economic growth in this state, we must build a freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities, that passes no more than five miles away from each city

C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system.
The conclusion is not about financing the construction of a freeway system.

D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities.
The statement supports the reasoning instead of weakening it.

E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system.
It weakens the reasoning that a freeway system is required but does not weaken the conclusion that we must build a freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities, that passes no more than five miles away from each city

IMO A

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Bunuel

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Looking for a weakner.

Conclusion: We must build a freeway system as per preposal... to spur economic growth in this state
Proposal : Freeway within 5 miles of each city

Prethinking:
Is the proposal mandatory, I mean alternate reasons for the stagnation.

POE
A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state.This is an alternate propsal that might fulfill the ask. Hold it.
B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities.Hmm agree but this also cant be ignored, Hence eliminated.
C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system. Irrelevant.
D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities. Irrelevant
E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system Hmm, This seems to be a contender. But the problem is with the keyword. Some, May be this might not give the expected outcome.

Compared to A, E is not the best choice as it directly weakens the proposal. Hence IMO A

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The conclusion to this argument is " so in order to spur economic growth in this state, we must build a freeway system, connecting the two groups of cities, that passes no more than five miles away from each city."

This is a strong conclusion.

A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state.

This option provides additional information that does weaken the conclusion. If ten miles is sufficient, then we don't necessarily have to build less than 5 miles. Keep A.

B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities.

The option doesn't say that transportation is not important. There could be other methods as well. Hence, the information has no effect. Eliminate B.

C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system.

Such information play no role. This is out of scope. We are not measuring feasibility here. Eliminate C.

D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities.

Irrelevant to the conclusion. We can eliminate D.

E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system

This information plays no role. Also, the option only talks about "Some extent" of improvement. Hence, we can eliminate E

Option A is correct

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A. The option challenges a specific detail (10 miles instead of 5) but does not weaken the core idea that a freeway would benefit.

B. If there are other MORE important causes, then a freeway might not affect economic growth as much as the engineer says, or at all. Weakens.

C. Talks about the feasibility of the solution provided, not the effectiveness.

D. Strengthens.

E. Slightly weakens, since it questions the need for a freeway by providing alternate solutions. But it doesn't directly question the claim that transportation would spur economic growth.

Ans. B

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A- it can strengthen or weaken both so not correct.
B- i chose this because in argument author says 'we must build....." so he is taking the freeway system as important cause, But this option give importance to other causes so it weakens.
C-i think budget is not the matter of concern.
D- strengthens
E- 'can be improved to some extant' giving no surety not strongly weakens.

request to expert to correct my explanations wherever i am wrong. thanks

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For me Both B and E weaken the argument significantly.

B says the engineer has misjudged the root cause of the problem. If transportation isn't the most important cause, then the freeway might not achieve the desired economic growth. This is a fundamental attack on the premise.
E says the engineer has misidentified the only solution. If existing methods can be improved, then the drastic and expensive freeway might not be necessary. This is an attack on the solution's necessity.

I will go with B because if the reason trade has stagnated isn't primarily transportation (as B suggests), then building any transportation system (freeway or improved existing methods) won't solve the core issue. This is a more fundamental flaw in the reasoning. If, however, transportation is the core issue, but there are multiple ways to fix it (as E suggests), then the engineer's reasoning about what to build (a freeway vs. improving existing) is weakened. Therefore, B is the strongest weaken, as it challenges the fundamental premise upon which the entire argument rests. If the problem itself is misjudged, then the proposed solution becomes irrelevant to the stated goal.

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B. alternate explanation is given to why the reasoning might not work

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A. Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state. Correct. If freeway 10 miles from each city is sufficient, why restricting it within 5 miles?
B. There are other, more important causes for the lack of trade between the northern and southern cities of the state in addition to a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods between these two groups of cities. While other causes may exist, solving this problem will also help spur growth.
C. The state’s infrastructure budget is not currently large enough to finance the construction of a freeway system. Finance is irrelevant
D. Growth in the commercial traffic between two groups of cities is most often associated with the closeness of the transportation system with the cities. This actually strengthens
E. The reliability of existing methods of transporting goods between the northern and southern cities of the state can be improved to some extent without building a freeway system While improvement can be done, whether it is sufficient is not clear.

Ans A

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Building a freeway system that passes as much as ten miles from each city would be sufficient to greatly increase trade between the northern and southern cities of the state. It will weaken the civil engineer reasoning that it should not be more than 5 miles

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Bunuel

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Question stem states that Trade between Northern and Southern states have stagnated. But, these states have few reliable transportation methods to spur economic growth. The civil engineer mentions the importance to build a free way that’s less than 5 miles.

Option B - brings in other factors in addition to the existing lack of reliable transportation methods. Hence, doesn’t weaken.

Option C - budget constraint doesn’t weaken the reasoning of civil engineer.

Option D - This option supports that more close the transportation network is the more better.

Option E - The question mentions few reliable transportation ways do exist. Improving existing methods without building a freeway weakens the civil engineers reasoning. Let’s keep it .

Option A - civil engineer mentions the freeway should be less than 5 miles. But, option A questions the reasoning of civil engineer by providing 10 miles for the construction of freeway. This weakens the argument more than option E.

Hence option A

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A. The most seriously weaken, since it pointed out that the freeway system needs to pass 10 miles to be sufficient.
B. Even though there are more important causes for the lack of trade, but it did not deny that a lack of reliable methods of transporting goods is one of them
C. Not enough money did not deny the fact that building the freeway system could spur economic growth in this state.
D. This supports the fact that the state should grow the commercial traffic between 2 cities.
E. This is weaken but not too strong, somehow to show that building a new freeway system still can improve the economic in this state.

The answer is A.