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555-605 (Medium)|   Logical Flaw|         
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ShreyaMittal1609
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 10:42
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My answer is C)

City council concludes that 25% increase in the number of vehicle that pass through intersection can reduced the waiting time by 20%.
To find a flaw- find a logical gap in the reasoning.
A) Timeline like every hour or two hours does not poke a hole in the logic of the argument- Eliminate
B) Malfunctions or errors initially can delay but it does not mean the plan will not work- Eliminate
C) More vehicles passing through can encourage more traffic hence diluting the 25% increase - Correct
D) Comparison- 25% more is given- Eliminate
E) Cost benefit analysis is out of scope- Eliminate

Ps- Trying to get my head around how 25% say earlier 100 and now 125 can pass every hour can reduce the waiting time by 20 min (Assumed 100 mins before).
Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 11:08
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Ans Choice C : If number of vehicles passing the intersection is assumed to be constant, then synchronisation system of traffic lights will increase the flow of vehicles by avg of 25% per hour leading to reduction of waiting time at red lights by exactly 20%. Otherwise, the waiting time reduction will be less if more people are encouraged to drive through downtown.

A) Since the argument deals in Averages, exact timeline of reduction is not important.
B) Initial implementation malfunctions are common and will not affect long term average
D) Not true. It is comparing from old system
E) Goal was to meet city congestion reduction target of 20% wait time. In a plan-goal argument, flaw is not about investment is justified or not but whether Goal is achievable or not?
Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 11:25
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option a ; the timeline of achieving goal is not an issue . the main flaw is whether the new system is able to control congestion rate.

option b ; initial technical error doesnt mean major failure in the long run .

option c ; this can be correct . coz, if traffic flow decreases more people will be encorged to drive with alarcity to the downtown core ,if traffic rate decreases , the rate of driving will increase proportionately .

option d ; investment cost ain't the main issue here. the main ques is that is the new traffic controlling system is capable to fulfill it's goal.


so right ans. is OPTION . C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 12:24
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Answer D

The city shows statistical data for the current traffic system.

It also provides data for the new traffic system.

It does not correlate how these both systems work in comparison
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 12:28
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The correct answer is C.

Let's evaluate all the options

A. Lack of a clear timeline does not strongly invalidate the council's conclusion about how the system works.

B. The council focuses on the system's design, not its temporary setup flaws.

C. This argument assumes that an increased vehicle flow will reduce congestion. However, it ignores the situation where more people travel through the intersection. The new traffic quickly fills the extra road space, which negates the time savings.

D. Council only needs to show the results rather than the statistical data.

E. This statement talks about the financial priorities and not the effectiveness of the plan.
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 12:28
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Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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A. Timeline is not relevant to as it does not weaken the reasosing of the target not being met. Exclude
B. Possibility that this concern might have been adressed in the system or will be addressed once identified. Exclude
C. Gives a valid reason where the proposed plan could lead to an increase in vehicle presence at downtown area, thereby negating the city council's goal. Keep C
D. Comparison to the former system is not necessary as the 25% increase in intersections serve as enough info for develpoping the advanced system. Exclude
E. Monetary benefits have no relation to the goal of reduction of wait times. Exclude

Answer - C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 12:49
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Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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city plan -> faster lights -> 20% less traffic wait
Flaw was in option C -> it ignores the induced demand
in real world, easier driving attracts more cars eventually roads clog up again!
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 12:49
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The question mentions that the target of the city of Metropolis is to reduce the traffic congestion (avg. time spent on red traffic lights) by 20%
The target step to be implemented for the same is installation of new advanced synchronisation system of $12 million which will increase the number of vehicles passing through the signal by 25% each hour.

Question - Argument is flawed because:
(A) - Fails to establish a clear timeline - Irrelevant - timeline was never talked about in the question
(B) - Fails to consider whether advanced synchronisation system will experience mechanical malfunctions/ software errors during its initial implementation phase - Out of scope - this is thinking about the future and is not required.
(C) - Assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core - True - If more people selects the route, then the congestion may eventually increase and the purpose for which the advanced synchronisation system was installed might fail hence this option seems correct till now
(D) - Provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city's previous, older trafiic light system - Well this is again looking into the past - hence out of scope and hence not to be checked
(E) - Does not justify the $ 12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system - Irrelevant - the question does not talk about cost issue - it just mentions the problem to be high traffic waiting time and hence this is also incorrect.
The correct option remains C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 12:59
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IMO, the answer should be option C.

The argument assumes that because the new system allows 25% more vehicles to pass through the intersection, the avg wait time will fall by 20%. But if traffic moves more smoothly, more people may choose to drive downtown. The extra vehicles could reduce or cancel out the expected improvement. The argument ignores this possibility, and option C exactly points out this flaw.

Looking at other options below:
(A) Irrelevant - Timeline does not affect whether the conclusion is true or false.
(B) Speculative but not the main flaw
(D) Irrelevant - Comparison with the old system is not required.
(E) Irrelevant - The argument is about reducing congestion and not whether the cost of the project is justified.


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 13:18
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A. Irrelavent
B. Not helpful
C. Yes. If more people decide to travel downtown than there will be more congestion. therefore their goals of reduced congestion is not acheived.
D. Not helpful
E. Dont care about cost.

Answer C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 13:25
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(A) The flaw is not related to the timeline.
(B) The flaw is not related to a malfunction of the system.
(C) Yes, this is the main flaw in the argument. If more people start driving, even more vehicles will be on the road, which negates the whole point of the argument for reducing wait time.
(D) Flaw is not about the comparison of the new vs. the old system.
(E) The flaw is not related to the monetary benefits.

Hence, the answer is (C)
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 13:57
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A- A timeline is not needed to evaluate the reasoning.
B--Possible malfunction is out of scope.
C-- Correct, interesting option too, once more people travel it will further conjest more, which breaks the argument and is a flaw.
D--We dont want this data.
E--We dont want the data on financials, if it will meet the criteria.

Hence C is our answer
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 15:27
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C) seems like the strongest weakener for me because if more people are to drive, then the congestion would increase.

D) is tempting but doesn't feel right
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 17:01
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Premise: New Traffic light system Increases the sync and increase the passing through vehicles by 25%.
Conclusion: Downtown congestion will decrease by 20%.

The flaw here is the assumption is a direct causal relationship.
Evaluating the options:
A. Incorrect: Timeline is irrelevant as per the conclusion. It just states that it will be bring down the congestion.
B. Incorrect: Mechanical and software malfunctions are risks but they are not the flaw in the arguement.
C. Correct: Exactly what the argument assumes.
D. Incorrect: We already know that new system will be 25% better, a comparison is not necessary to identify the flaw.
E. Incorrect: Conclusion doesn't mentions the Budget constraints. It just says traffic is going to come down. So ireelevant.

IMO ans is C.

Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 17:05
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1 - Timeline doesn't matter here, its not mentioned in the passage
2 - Initial malfunction doesn't matter, we are talking about overall eventual help that it offers
3 - Yes, this is correct. Smoother traffic -> more people coming to downtown -> average remaining the same or increasing or reducing very slightly.
4 - we don't want to know previous older stats and it isn't a flaw, they are talking about system installation helping achieve the aim
5 - cost is not a factor, NA

Answer - C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 17:10
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Option C highlights that the effects of a solution provided can become the cause of the initial problem, thus not solving the problem for which it was the solution
Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 17:29
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It works on the assumption which is highlighted in Option C, thus, the argument is flawed.
Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 18:59
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The answer is letter C. This is because A and B are irrelevant; D is inaccurate since the paragraph already provides the necessary information, and E is incorrect since investment is not a potential issue.
Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 19:15
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Concl: installation of new system will ensure congestion reduction target is met

A) timeline doesn't matter, what matter is if congestion reduction target will be met - ELIMINATE
B) what happens during implementation phase may not affect final outcome - ELIMINATE
C) If more people will drive to downtown - congestion may in fact increase - looks like this assumption may be a flaw - KEEP
D) It kind of does compare when it says number of vehicles can increase by 25% - ELIMINATE
E) we are not concerned about cost-benefit analysis here - ELIMINATE

C)
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 3): The city of Metropolis aims to 08 Jul 2026, 19:46
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A) Timeline is not the issue here, improving flow of traffic is. Hence it is not the flaw.
B) Glitches and other technical issues are just hiccups, we are talking about case when everything is working fine.
C) Correct : When it is working fine, if the increased flow of traffic attract more vehicles then the average waiting time would still be the same. Hence this is the flaw.
D) It is already mentioning 20% improvement in time and and 25% improvement in flow of traffic compared to current system in use. Hence it is not a flaw.
E)This passage is about improving traffic flow not ROI.
Bunuel
The city of Metropolis aims to reduce morning traffic congestion in the downtown core, defined as the average time spent waiting at red lights, by 20%. To achieve this, the city council has installed a new, highly advanced synchronization system for all traffic lights, an investment that cost $12 million. Since this system can increase the number of vehicles that pass through major intersections every hour by an average of 25%, the city council concludes that the installation of the new system will ensure that the city meets its congestion reduction target.

The argument above is flawed in that it:

(A) fails to establish a clear timeline for when the 20% reduction in congestion is expected to occur.
(B) fails to consider whether the advanced synchronization system will experience mechanical malfunctions or software errors during its initial implementation phase.
(C) assumes that the increased traffic flow through major intersections will not encourage more people to drive to the downtown core.
(D) provides statistical data from a new system but does not compare its performance with the city’s previous, older traffic light system.
(E) does not justify the $12 million investment by showing that the monetary benefits of reducing congestion will exceed the cost of the new system.

 


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