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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 9): Over the coming two months, the 17 Jul 2026, 00:35
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I got B as the answer. If the cost of fuel for the trucks go up, that would increase the cost of the groceries and essentials that they deliver. Those cost would be passed on to customers, so she will feel the affects of the price changes.

A - If her commute is funded by a tax on fuel purchases, then those transit sources should be getting more money so there would be no reason to raise fair prices especially since she only takes electric powered vehicles.

C is irrelevant. We have no way of knowing if this applies to Maria's work and even if it did that would mean people would be commuting less often so she just wouldn't be paying for fare those days.

D would increase Maria's electricity cost, but this is due to environmental legislation, not the oil price increase.

For E whether or not the prediction is correct is not relevant to Maria's reasoning about how increasing oil prices would impact her. We need an answer that would show Maria being significantly impacted by oil price increases.
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ans - option b
because the groceries and essential items will be transported through diesel powered trucks, and with the increase in fuel price the items too will increase in price since cost of transportation will be carried forward to the items. this way she will not have to pay more for essential items and will affect her indirectly
Bunuel
Over the coming two months, the price of oil in Esteria is projected to increase by enough to approximately double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. Maria, who lives and works in a large Esterian city, has no car, commutes on electric-powered public transit vehicles, and uses household power derived from hydroelectricity and natural gas. Since she does not use oil-based fuel in any of her everyday activities, Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if the Esterian oil price jumps as projected.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Maria's line of reasoning?

(A) Esteria's public-transit systems, including the one on which Maria makes her daily commute, are funded by a fixed-percentage tax charged on all purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel within Esteria.

(B) Groceries and other essential items must be transported into Maria's city on small-to-medium-sized diesel-powered trucks.

(C) If the price of gasoline climbs as projected, many companies in Maria's city will allow employees who live in the surrounding suburbs to work from home one to two days per week.

(D) Newly enacted environmental legislation will increase by one-half the amount that Maria must pay for electrical power.

(E) The economists who have predicted the upcoming increase have been correct in nearly all of their recent predictions concerning the Esterian economy.

 


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Bunuel
Over the coming two months, the price of oil in Esteria is projected to increase by enough to approximately double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. Maria, who lives and works in a large Esterian city, has no car, commutes on electric-powered public transit vehicles, and uses household power derived from hydroelectricity and natural gas. Since she does not use oil-based fuel in any of her everyday activities, Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if the Esterian oil price jumps as projected.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Maria's line of reasoning?

(A) Esteria's public-transit systems, including the one on which Maria makes her daily commute, are funded by a fixed-percentage tax charged on all purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel within Esteria.

(B) Groceries and other essential items must be transported into Maria's city on small-to-medium-sized diesel-powered trucks.

(C) If the price of gasoline climbs as projected, many companies in Maria's city will allow employees who live in the surrounding suburbs to work from home one to two days per week.

(D) Newly enacted environmental legislation will increase by one-half the amount that Maria must pay for electrical power.

(E) The economists who have predicted the upcoming increase have been correct in nearly all of their recent predictions concerning the Esterian economy.

 


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opt A - it is based on fix tax percentage so no change in transport cost.
opt B - the prices of food will increase and it will affect maria
opt C - does not affect maria's pay at the company
opt D - nothing related to oil
opt E - says nothing about maria
Thus correct option is B.
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Here, we need something that shows Maria's cost of living can still increase even if she doesn't directly use oil-based fuel.

A is tempting, but only explains how public transit is funded, not that Maria's commuting costs will increase. Eliminate
B sounds good imo. Since essentials are transported by diesel trucks, higher fuel prices can raise the prices Maria pays, even w/o using oil herself. Keep
C doesn't affect Maria's cost of living. Eliminate
D is out of scope. The increase in electricity prices is due to new legislation, not higher oil prices. Eliminate
E strengthens the prediction, not Maria's reasoning. Eliminate

Ans : B
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A. Funding levels increase does not mean her expenses will also increase
B. This directly attacks the assumption thus weakens the argument
C. This does not affect Maria although it affects her neighbours
D. Although this will affect her cost, it comes from a different cause
E. This brings in credibility but does not directly point to the flaw in the argument
Ans B
Bunuel
Over the coming two months, the price of oil in Esteria is projected to increase by enough to approximately double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. Maria, who lives and works in a large Esterian city, has no car, commutes on electric-powered public transit vehicles, and uses household power derived from hydroelectricity and natural gas. Since she does not use oil-based fuel in any of her everyday activities, Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if the Esterian oil price jumps as projected.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Maria's line of reasoning?

(A) Esteria's public-transit systems, including the one on which Maria makes her daily commute, are funded by a fixed-percentage tax charged on all purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel within Esteria.

(B) Groceries and other essential items must be transported into Maria's city on small-to-medium-sized diesel-powered trucks.

(C) If the price of gasoline climbs as projected, many companies in Maria's city will allow employees who live in the surrounding suburbs to work from home one to two days per week.

(D) Newly enacted environmental legislation will increase by one-half the amount that Maria must pay for electrical power.

(E) The economists who have predicted the upcoming increase have been correct in nearly all of their recent predictions concerning the Esterian economy.

 


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Conclusion: Since maria doesn't use any oil-fuel in her daily activities, she doesn't expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if oil prices jumps.

A) this will more strengthen, if tax on oil increases, and from these funds public transport will become cheaper. Eliminate.
B) this saying due to used diesel powered transport system used in groceries and essentials, it will probably increase the prices of essentials used by maria resulting increasing her expenses. Weakener. Keep.
C) This will strengthen coz due to work from home, the travel cost and other related expenses would be reduced. Eliminate.
D) This is out of context, the increase of electric power cost is due to new enacted environment legislation. Eliminate.
E) Again doesn't affect our arguement. it makes it certain that predicted oil prices will rise. Eliminate.

Answer is B
Bunuel
Over the coming two months, the price of oil in Esteria is projected to increase by enough to approximately double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. Maria, who lives and works in a large Esterian city, has no car, commutes on electric-powered public transit vehicles, and uses household power derived from hydroelectricity and natural gas. Since she does not use oil-based fuel in any of her everyday activities, Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if the Esterian oil price jumps as projected.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Maria's line of reasoning?

(A) Esteria's public-transit systems, including the one on which Maria makes her daily commute, are funded by a fixed-percentage tax charged on all purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel within Esteria.

(B) Groceries and other essential items must be transported into Maria's city on small-to-medium-sized diesel-powered trucks.

(C) If the price of gasoline climbs as projected, many companies in Maria's city will allow employees who live in the surrounding suburbs to work from home one to two days per week.

(D) Newly enacted environmental legislation will increase by one-half the amount that Maria must pay for electrical power.

(E) The economists who have predicted the upcoming increase have been correct in nearly all of their recent predictions concerning the Esterian economy.

 


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The conclusion is increase in oil price will not impact Maria's cost of living

Assumption is there is no aspect of Maria's livelihood that will consume oil in some way and hence can have any impact.

We have to weaken- so attack this assumption

A. incorrect. If they are funded by a fixed %age tax on all purchases of oil- then unless the total purchase amount decreases, this tax will provide the required fund for the public transport system. And increase in price of oil may decrease the no. of units consumed for oil based fuel but there is no direct effect on the total purchase because price should offset the decrease in quantity. So, no impact on Maria's life

B. Correct. Directly attacks the assumption. If essential items are transported into her city by oil powered fuels, then the price of those items would increase due to increase in shipping and hence increase the cost for the groceries and essential items for M

C. Incorrect. No impact on M's life- it impacts the lives of people who live in suburbs around the city

D. Incorrect. This increase in power expenses is the impact of new legislation and not the oil price increase

E. Incorrect. Historical success doesn't guarantee future success and even if it did, it will mean an increase in price of oil. But what we are concerned with is if this increase in oil price increases Maria's cost of living, which with this information, we can not know.
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A:- incorrect, its direct effect on Maria's cost of living is highly speculative
B:- Correct, use of small- medium transportation vehicles is not fuel efficient , which will in turn increase freight cost and finally the cost of groceries and other essentials will increase
C:- incorrect, it does not impact the Maria's cost of living
D:- incorrect, it talks about effect of environmental legislation
E:- incorrect, it strengthens a prediction but does not weaken Maria's cost of living argument

Bunuel
Over the coming two months, the price of oil in Esteria is projected to increase by enough to approximately double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. Maria, who lives and works in a large Esterian city, has no car, commutes on electric-powered public transit vehicles, and uses household power derived from hydroelectricity and natural gas. Since she does not use oil-based fuel in any of her everyday activities, Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if the Esterian oil price jumps as projected.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Maria's line of reasoning?

(A) Esteria's public-transit systems, including the one on which Maria makes her daily commute, are funded by a fixed-percentage tax charged on all purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel within Esteria.

(B) Groceries and other essential items must be transported into Maria's city on small-to-medium-sized diesel-powered trucks.

(C) If the price of gasoline climbs as projected, many companies in Maria's city will allow employees who live in the surrounding suburbs to work from home one to two days per week.

(D) Newly enacted environmental legislation will increase by one-half the amount that Maria must pay for electrical power.

(E) The economists who have predicted the upcoming increase have been correct in nearly all of their recent predictions concerning the Esterian economy.

 


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IMO ANS is B -
Conc - Maria would not be impacted from oil price hike because she won't utilize oil/diesel dependent things. But if we find any indirect thing which may cause the impact to Maria reasoning will fail.
IMO B is answer but A also a close competitor.
C - Strenthen
D - we can't say electrical power bill will be increased and if increased also we can't say it would be significant impact compare to diesel still little bit weakean the solution.
E - Irrelevant it is confirming what we have predicted would have higher chances so not that much useful

then A,B, D make some sense

A - I'm rejecting this because if oil price increased would it increase tax and then that tax would impact maria significantly I would not convince with this so rejecting this option Choice A

D - here it says newly build rule could increase to 1.5 again we can't say if it will increase then it will impact Maria significantly? I doubt so I'm rejecting this choice also.

NOW Option B - I feel this is the correct choice first and foremost this is one of common sense if oil price increase it will increase price of transportation and then everything / overall inflation will increase on same reasoning Maria is wrong to say she will not impacted but if groceries and other essientials things will be expenive then he would be impaceted more than what he/she expected so I feel option B is most weaken. Thanks!
Bunuel
Over the coming two months, the price of oil in Esteria is projected to increase by enough to approximately double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. Maria, who lives and works in a large Esterian city, has no car, commutes on electric-powered public transit vehicles, and uses household power derived from hydroelectricity and natural gas. Since she does not use oil-based fuel in any of her everyday activities, Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if the Esterian oil price jumps as projected.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Maria's line of reasoning?

(A) Esteria's public-transit systems, including the one on which Maria makes her daily commute, are funded by a fixed-percentage tax charged on all purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel within Esteria.

(B) Groceries and other essential items must be transported into Maria's city on small-to-medium-sized diesel-powered trucks.

(C) If the price of gasoline climbs as projected, many companies in Maria's city will allow employees who live in the surrounding suburbs to work from home one to two days per week.

(D) Newly enacted environmental legislation will increase by one-half the amount that Maria must pay for electrical power.

(E) The economists who have predicted the upcoming increase have been correct in nearly all of their recent predictions concerning the Esterian economy.

 


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While it is true that she is not using any oil-driven devices, the increase in oil prices is connected to the daily activities, and that is why B is the answer, as it suggests groceries are coming from different cities to her city by small to medium-sized fuel-driven vehicles.

(A) It does not show how much % increases for tax. Trap. Eliminate.
(B) Answer.
(C) Supporting the argument: if people have the opportunity to work from home, they will commute less. Eliminate.
(D) Out-of-scope.
(E) Irrelevant as the increase is almost projected. Eliminate.
(E)
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A---Weak option.
B---This directly undermines the oil prices insulation. Correct
C---Irrelevant
D---Does not weaken
E---It does not affect Maria.
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A A fixed percentage tax means transit funding actually rises with fuel prices, so this doesn't weaken Maria's reasoning.

B Correct. If trucking costs double, grocery prices jump, and Maria buys groceries like everyone else.

C Remote work policies don't change what Maria pays for anything she needs.

D That's about new laws, not the oil spike, so it's off-topic.

E Accurate predictions don't prove Maria will feel the impact firsthand.

IMO B
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Given that Oil prices in Esteria are projected to increase by enough to approx double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each liter of gasoline or diesel.
Maria -
1. stays in Esteria
2. Has no car, commutes via electric powered public transport - not affected by oil prices
3. Her household derives power from hydroelectricity & natural gas - not affected by oil prices
Since, she does not use any oil based fuel for any of her activities, she does not expect any impact on her cost of living despite the projected increase in the oil prices.

We have to weaken her line of reasoning

A - If the public transport system that Maria uses is funded by a fixed % of the tax on all gasoline or diesel purchase, with the higher price, the tax would be higher. It only benefits the transport system and does not, in anyway, impacts Maria's cost of transporation or anything in general - incorrect

B - The groceries and other essentials items that Maria consumes must be transported via diesel powered trucks. So if the price of oil rises, so does the cost of diesel and so does the transportation cost of groceries and essentials which impact's Maria's cost of living - Correct.

C - Companies allowing work from home does not impact the cost of living for Maria. We don't know whether she herself is an employee - Incorrect.

D - We are concerned with whether the increase in the oil prices impact the cost of living of Maria. Any legislation resulting an increase is out of scope - Incorrect.

E - The prediction being correct or not does not help us understand whether the increase in the prices of oil have an impact on the cost of living of Maria. - Incorrect.
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Conclusion: Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if oil price jumps as expected.
A. Maria uses electric powered public transit.
B. Groceries in Maria’s are transported by diesel powered trucks. This will probably lead to a increase in the price of groceries. And indirectly Marias cost of living will increase as result of increased price of oil. This weakens the conclusion. CORRECT
C. Irrelevant
D. This increase is not a result of increased oil price.
E. Irrelevant

B
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We need to identify a statement that weakens Maria's claims

Option A - This option does not weaken the maria's claim as it does not analyse the fuel cost and hence not correct option
Option B - This option directly talks about transport of essential items through diesel powered trucks and hence the cost might increase since fuel cost has increased and hence this impact's maria's claim and hence option is correct
Option C - This does not weaken as it only talks about way to save fuel
Option D - This talks about the electricity and not fuel and hence option is not correct
Option E - This is not correct as it only talks about prediction and prediction can be wrong or right.

Correct answer is Option B
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A This doesn't weaken the argument since it focuses on public-transit revenue, not Maria's budget.

B Right answer. Delivery costs would likely raise the prices Maria pays in stores.

C Working from home affects commuters, but it says nothing about Maria's living costs.

D The increase in electricity prices has a different cause, so it is irrelevant to her argument.

E This actually strengthens the premise by making the oil-price prediction more believable.

Answer B
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IMO : B
A : weakener
B : this is exactly the kind of effect she overlooked --- keep
C : irrelevant -- out of scope
D: this introduce a seperate cause --- out
E: it says nothing about weather her cost of living will be affected--- out
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A. Incorrect as this doesent significantly increase Maria's cost of living. An increase on tax on the transit system wont cause a significant dent to her cost of living nor is it guaranteed to do so.
B. Correct since due to an increase in oil price, the transport costs of the groceries done by the truce would also increase which would also lead to increase in the grocery prices. Maria would see a significant increase in her daily cost of living due to this
C. Incorrect as it doesent affect Maria at all
D. Incorrect as it says the electricty bill increases due to environmental legislation and not due to the oil price increase. So this doesent relate to Maria at all
E. Incorrect as it doesent say anything regarding if she is being affected due to the oil price increase.

B.
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 9): Over the coming two months, the 17 Jul 2026, 07:33
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A The source of transit funding has no connection to what Maria spends each month.

B Correct answer. Rising diesel prices would increase transportation costs, which could be passed on to consumers.

C More employees staying home does not undermine Maria's conclusion.

D The legislation raises electricity prices independently of any increase in oil prices.

E Reliable economists make the prediction more convincing instead of weakening her reasoning.

The answer is B
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 9): Over the coming two months, the 17 Jul 2026, 07:43
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Conclusion: Oil increase does not impact Maria's cost of living

Arguments
1. Maria does not use oil-based fuel in her daily activities
2. Her daily activities: has no car, commutes on electric-power public transit vehicles, uses hydroelectricity and natural-gas-based household power
3. Oil increase -> doubled the price paid for each gallon of GASOLINE or DIESEL fuel.

Assumption: commutes through an electric-power vehicle, and natural gas-based household power has no direct effect from gasoline/diesel price.
What if there indirect impact?

Weakening: B. Groceries & other essentials must be transported with diesel-powered trucks
Meaning, if diesel price increases, it might increase grocery and other essential prices.
which impact maria's cost of living.

Others are incorrect
A. Trap. Since the % tax charged from gasoline purchasing is not affecting the fee of the public-transit system, as it is the funder, not the supplier
C. Working from home policy not directly clear subject to Maria's work policy
D. Electrical power increase from new policy not directly aligned with the evidence stated
E. trap. The evidence does not discuss the economist's prediction.
Bunuel
Over the coming two months, the price of oil in Esteria is projected to increase by enough to approximately double the price paid by Esterian drivers for each gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel. Maria, who lives and works in a large Esterian city, has no car, commutes on electric-powered public transit vehicles, and uses household power derived from hydroelectricity and natural gas. Since she does not use oil-based fuel in any of her everyday activities, Maria does not expect any significant impact on her own cost of living if the Esterian oil price jumps as projected.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens Maria's line of reasoning?

(A) Esteria's public-transit systems, including the one on which Maria makes her daily commute, are funded by a fixed-percentage tax charged on all purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel within Esteria.

(B) Groceries and other essential items must be transported into Maria's city on small-to-medium-sized diesel-powered trucks.

(C) If the price of gasoline climbs as projected, many companies in Maria's city will allow employees who live in the surrounding suburbs to work from home one to two days per week.

(D) Newly enacted environmental legislation will increase by one-half the amount that Maria must pay for electrical power.

(E) The economists who have predicted the upcoming increase have been correct in nearly all of their recent predictions concerning the Esterian economy.

 


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