The mayor of Island City has proposed that the toll on all bridges lea

Question

The mayor of Island City has proposed that the toll on all bridges leading into the city be doubled after the first of next year. The mayor claims that the increased fee will cause large numbers of motorists to choose alternate forms of transportation into the city. According to the mayor, this shift will benefit the environment because of lower automobile emissions, will decrease traffic congestion in the city center, and will increase revenues for the city's light rail system.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument put forth by the mayor EXCEPT:

(A) In order to avoid the new toll, many motorists will begin using car ferries to the city. The ferries are known to produce large amounts of toxic emissions.
(B) In a recent survey, 98% of automobile commuters to the city claim that the increase in tolls will not cause them to stop driving to the city every day.
(C) In addition to the increased tolls, the city council intends to lower the charge for the city's light rail system.
(D) Island City has planned a large number of street renovation projects to begin in the city center at the same time as the increased bridge tolls.
(E) The increased toll will result in an increase of approximately $1,500 per year for each motorist that drives into the city five times a week.

Dsufi · Accepted Answer

We have to find the choice which is not a weakening statement 
A. Objective of reducing pollution is lost due to increased toxic waste 
B. Increased tools will not impede or restrict drivers hence the objective of reducing congestion or emission is lost
C. While increasing the toll, the cost for light rail is lowered hence the overall revenue for light rail might also drop because of lower cost hence the objective of increasing revenue is not full filled
D. Street renovations in the middle of the street will lead to closure and hence lead to congestion, thereby failing to fulfill the objective of reducing congestion
E. this option is an isolated fact that does not impact the success of any objectives mentioned in the argument

Hence the answer is E

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Siddharth17 · Answer

Interesting questions, Had to think through between C,D,E
C - rejected as decreasing price will reduce revenue via rail
D - if renovations happens, the road will anyway be closed - so there is no point of increasing the fee
E - standalone fact. if they had mentioned 1500 to be decisive amount for bikers or not - then could have been considered

Gaurav015 · Answer

Can't we say that lowering of rail cost can lead to higher usage of it, which will ultimately increase the revenue, or we just have to focus on the cost aspect only? 
How to proceed with such questions? Do we need to extrapolate anything or just stick with the point

guddo · Answer

Yes, lower rail fares could lead to higher usage, and that  might  increase total revenue. But that requires an additional assumption that the increase in ridership would be large enough to offset the lower fare.

So for (C), stick to what is actually given:  the price per ride decreases . That creates a plausible reason why total light-rail revenue may not increase as the mayor predicts.

For these questions, do not add extra assumptions unless the choice supports them. Ask only whether the new fact makes the argument  less certain . It does not need to completely destroy the argument or have only one possible effect.

suntprovident · Answer

How is D related to the Mayor's plan but E which states that it will lead to a substantial increase not a weakener ?

guddo · Answer

I think the key is  what is increasing .

(D) is related because the mayor predicts that congestion will decrease. If major street renovations begin at the same time, they could  increase congestion , making that predicted benefit less likely.

(E), however, says the toll will cost frequent drivers about $1,500 more per year. That gives motorists a stronger financial reason to stop driving into the city, so it supports the mayor’s plan rather than weakens it.

The mayor of Island City has proposed that the toll on all bridges lea

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The mayor of Island City has proposed that the toll on all bridges lea

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