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655-705 (Hard)|   Assumption|      
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ajaygaur319
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 28 Feb 2020, 07:18
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65% (hard)

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58% (01:57) correct 42% (02:00) wrong based on 1114 sessions

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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficiency of automobiles. Travelling from suburbs to city center by car would use a gallon of fuel one way ten years ago, while it uses only half a gallon one way today. Thus, the travel has become much cost-effective. However, many people still prefer the public transport buses despite the long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.

Which one of the following, if true, does most to help explain why the increased cost-efficiency of cars has not decreased people’s preferences towards travelling by public transport?

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
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C
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 28 Feb 2020, 11:15
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ajaygaur319
Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficiency of automobiles. Travelling from suburbs to city center by car would use a gallon of fuel one way ten years ago, while it uses only half a gallon one way today. Thus, the travel has become much cost-effective. However, many people still prefer the public transport buses despite the long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.

Which one of the following, if true, does most to help explain why the increased cost-efficiency of cars has not decreased people’s preferences towards travelling by public transport?

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
Show more

The blue part talks about economic factors now, and the highlighted part starts with a contrast word " However "

So, why will people prefer to travel by public transport ? Prethinking may lead us to the following -

1. Lesser travel time
2. Comparatively low cost to private transport

Option (C) talks in similar lines to our prethinking assumption no (2) , hence correct Answer must be (C)
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 30 Aug 2020, 02:32
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ajaygaur319
Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficiency of automobiles. Travelling from suburbs to city center by car would use a gallon of fuel one way ten years ago, while it uses only half a gallon one way today. Thus, the travel has become much cost-effective. However, many people still prefer the public transport buses despite the long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.

Which one of the following, if true, does most to help explain why the increased cost-efficiency of cars has not decreased people’s preferences towards travelling by public transport?

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.

The blue part talks about economic factors now, and the highlighted part starts with a contrast word " However "

So, why will people prefer to travel by public transport ? Prethinking may lead us to the following -

1. Lesser travel time
2. Comparatively low cost to private transport

Option (C) talks in similar lines to our prethinking assumption no (2) , hence correct Answer must be (C)
Show more

Under that logic would you not also include E?
I thought D could also be a possibility.
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 31 Aug 2020, 07:18
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As per Option D it is specific to offices, where in we are discussing about people in general. As per option D only time is taken since commuting time can also be reduced by going in personal vehicle, as per option c it states about fares which in common sense we can analyse that if bus fares are so low people opt for it



Tiburcio1987
Abhishek009
ajaygaur319
Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficiency of automobiles. Travelling from suburbs to city center by car would use a gallon of fuel one way ten years ago, while it uses only half a gallon one way today. Thus, the travel has become much cost-effective. However, many people still prefer the public transport buses despite the long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.

Which one of the following, if true, does most to help explain why the increased cost-efficiency of cars has not decreased people’s preferences towards travelling by public transport?

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.

The blue part talks about economic factors now, and the highlighted part starts with a contrast word " However "

So, why will people prefer to travel by public transport ? Prethinking may lead us to the following -

1. Lesser travel time
2. Comparatively low cost to private transport

Option (C) talks in similar lines to our prethinking assumption no (2) , hence correct Answer must be (C)

Under that logic would you not also include E?
I thought D could also be a possibility.
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 19 Sep 2020, 00:36
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VeritasKarishma, GMATNinja, Bunuel, @chiranjeevsingh- Are we eliminating D because the question is primarily based on the cost involved in private transportation vs. public transportation?
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 22 Sep 2020, 05:41
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adityaa098
VeritasKarishma, GMATNinja, Bunuel, @chiranjeevsingh- Are we eliminating D because the question is primarily based on the cost involved in private transportation vs. public transportation?
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Option (D) talks about offices only. We don't know how many people going from suburb to city centre are going to office.
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 23 Sep 2020, 11:30
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Abhishek009
ajaygaur319
Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficiency of automobiles. Travelling from suburbs to city center by car would use a gallon of fuel one way ten years ago, while it uses only half a gallon one way today. Thus, the travel has become much cost-effective. However, many people still prefer the public transport buses despite the long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.

Which one of the following, if true, does most to help explain why the increased cost-efficiency of cars has not decreased people’s preferences towards travelling by public transport?

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.

The blue part talks about economic factors now, and the highlighted part starts with a contrast word " However "

So, why will people prefer to travel by public transport ? Prethinking may lead us to the following -

1. Lesser travel time
2. Comparatively low cost to private transport

Option (C) talks in similar lines to our prethinking assumption no (2) , hence correct Answer must be (C)
Show more


Even I had those 2 answers in mind. Which leads me to my question, why not E?
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 23 Sep 2020, 12:32
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VeritasKarishma nightblade354 - can you let me know if my reasons for eliminating the follwing are correct -

Prethinking -
1 - buses are still cheaper (multiple people sharing the fare + computerisation)
2 - no parking in town
3 - fuel costs have risen sharply (eg. earlier 1 gallon was $5. Now 1 gallon is $10 or $12 so half a gallon is still as expensive if not more expensive)
4 - Express lane for buses

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(Prethinking 3)

(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(straight out eliminate)

(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(Prethinking 1)

(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(We are assuming there are only offices + most can be 51% so eliminate)

(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
(Prethinking 4 - but this gets neutralised because of long wait time (right???))

A and E are good options but C is a better option so I picked C.

Can you give me more solid grounds to eliminate A & E?
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 24 Sep 2020, 08:42
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TarPhi
VeritasKarishma nightblade354 - can you let me know if my reasons for eliminating the follwing are correct -

Prethinking -
1 - buses are still cheaper (multiple people sharing the fare + computerisation)
2 - no parking in town
3 - fuel costs have risen sharply (eg. earlier 1 gallon was $5. Now 1 gallon is $10 or $12 so half a gallon is still as expensive if not more expensive)
4 - Express lane for buses

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(Prethinking 3)

(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(straight out eliminate)

(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(Prethinking 1)

(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(We are assuming there are only offices + most can be 51% so eliminate)

(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
(Prethinking 4 - but this gets neutralised because of long wait time (right???))

A and E are good options but C is a better option so I picked C.

Can you give me more solid grounds to eliminate A & E?
Show more

Hey, i am no expert but giving it a shot -
A - The fuel costs have increased faster than inflation but the fuel required is much less than what you needed 10 years ago (half) so it doesn't really explain why the preference hasn't changed. This could go either way so I rejected it - its not really a definite answer.

E - Totally agree with you, reduced commuting time has been nullified by other stuff like - long waits, rush hour traffics, etc.

Hope this helps! :)
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 24 Sep 2020, 08:51
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Brian123

Thanks man. Good Luck with your GMAT! :)
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 24 Sep 2020, 22:43
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TarPhi
VeritasKarishma nightblade354 - can you let me know if my reasons for eliminating the follwing are correct -

Prethinking -
1 - buses are still cheaper (multiple people sharing the fare + computerisation)
2 - no parking in town
3 - fuel costs have risen sharply (eg. earlier 1 gallon was $5. Now 1 gallon is $10 or $12 so half a gallon is still as expensive if not more expensive)
4 - Express lane for buses

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(Prethinking 3)

(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(straight out eliminate)

(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(Prethinking 1)

(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(We are assuming there are only offices + most can be 51% so eliminate)

(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
(Prethinking 4 - but this gets neutralised because of long wait time (right???))

A and E are good options but C is a better option so I picked C.

Can you give me more solid grounds to eliminate A & E?
Show more

Cars take half the fuel now. So travel is much more cost effective.
Many people still prefer buses despite long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.
Why?
To explain, we need something really bad about cars or something really good about buses (as compared to the other).

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
Both, cars and buses need fuel. So its cost has increased for both. We don't know how it impacts each.

(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
Irrelevant.

(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
Bus fares have reduced significantly. Hence, even though cars have become more cost effective, buses might have become even cheaper. That could be the reason why people prefer buses.

(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
We don't know how many travellers are office goers. Also, perhaps offices have their own private parking, we don't know.

(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
There are long waits. So 'time' would not be the factor that is making people choose buses.

Answer (C)
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 28 Aug 2024, 01:18
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­Option (C): "Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares."

=> This option highlights that buses have also become more fuel-efficient and that their fares have reduced significantly when adjusted for inflation. If public transport has become more cost-effective as well, this could explain why people might still prefer it, even though cars are now more fuel-efficient. The reduced cost of bus fares might offset the advantages gained from the increased fuel efficiency of cars.

---

The other options address different aspects but do not directly link the cost-efficiency of cars with the continued preference for public transport

(A): Discusses the increase in fuel cost but does not address why this would lead people to still prefer public transport.

(B): Provides data on increased use of public transport but does not explain why the preference remains despite improved car efficiency.

(D): Highlights accessibility issues related to parking but does not connect this to the fuel efficiency of cars. Also, this in fact make it harder to understand why people still choose public transport

(E): Talks about reduced commuting time for buses but doesn't necessarily outweigh the convenience and potential cost savings of driving for those who have offices located near bus stops and face parking challenges in the city center.
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 23 Oct 2025, 10:43
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Option D only talks about office areas hence limiting the premise which is nowhere stated in the given conclusion
Tiburcio1987


Under that logic would you not also include E?
I thought D could also be a possibility.
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Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie 01 Jan 2026, 14:42
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conclusion- many people still prefer public transport buses despite long waits, rush hour traffic and inconvenience during winters.
passage= engine automation has increased fuel efficiency.
ten years ago 1 gallon of fuels and now only half of it.
travel has become more cost effective.

we need to find reason why people are still choosing public transportation despite cost effectiveness and fuel efficiency.

A but we know engines have increased the fuel efficiency so despite higher price they still travel more distance. reject
B it doesnt tell any discrepancy.
C perfect. we know engines have been automated. that applies for all vehicles. due to that fares have gone down so make sense why people chose public .
D completely irrelevant
E that doesnt mean all people will use bus.

ajaygaur319
Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficiency of automobiles. Travelling from suburbs to city center by car would use a gallon of fuel one way ten years ago, while it uses only half a gallon one way today. Thus, the travel has become much cost-effective. However, many people still prefer the public transport buses despite the long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.

Which one of the following, if true, does most to help explain why the increased cost-efficiency of cars has not decreased people’s preferences towards travelling by public transport?

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
Show more
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