According to the mayor, replacing old public buses and trains that con

Question

According to the mayor, replacing old public buses and trains that connect the suburbs to the city would significantly increase the number of riders. He proposes financing the new buses and trains by raising tolls on the bridges that cars take into the city. Although the public buses and trains need to be replaced, the mayor's proposal for funding their replacement should be rejected because it unfairly forces drivers to pay for something from which they do not benefit.

Which of the following, if true, would provide the mayor with the strongest counterargument to the objection that his plan is unfair?

(A) Even with the proposed toll increase, the city's bridge tolls would be lower than those imposed in some other cities.

(B) The new buses and trains cannot be paid for by increasing rider fares because people would simply drive into the city instead.

(C) Drivers benefit from well-maintained bridges, and in this city, bridge maintenance is paid for by state taxes, not tolls.

(D) The bridges into the city are congested with an excessive number of vehicles, and drivers benefit when this congestion is decreased by people opting for public transportation.

(E) The only alternative to a toll increase is a city tax increase, which would affect all citizens equally.

winterschool · Answer

It is C - maintenance cost has paid by state tax, which is public money. so we can say toll is fair
B cant weakens counter argument
best answer C

MKaizer123 · Answer

Was confused between C and D but went with latter as it directly addresses why drivers would benefit from the plan too. Don't know if I am correct. Happy to learn!

Posted from my mobile device

deva1 · Answer

Mayor’s plan: Replace old buses and trains → paid for by raising bridge tolls (money paid by car drivers).

Objection: This is unfair because drivers are paying for something they don’t use (public transport).

Now we want to find the best counterargument that says: “Actually, drivers do benefit, so it’s fair!”

(A) Even with the proposed toll increase, the city's bridge tolls would be lower than those imposed in some other cities.
❌ This talks about comparison, not fairness or benefit. Just because others pay more doesn't make it fair here.

(B) The new buses and trains cannot be paid for by increasing rider fares because people would simply drive into the city instead.
❌ This explains why fares can't be raised, but doesn’t show drivers benefit from the buses/trains. Not a strong counter.

(C) Drivers benefit from well-maintained bridges, and in this city, bridge maintenance is paid for by state taxes, not tolls.
❌ This is about bridge maintenance, not public transport. It also doesn’t show how drivers benefit from buses/trains.

✅ (D) The bridges into the city are congested with an excessive number of vehicles, and drivers benefit when this congestion is decreased by people opting for public transportation.
✔️ This clearly says:
If more people use buses/trains, fewer cars on the road.

That means less traffic → drivers benefit.
So it's fair that they help pay for the improvement.

(E) The only alternative to a toll increase is a city tax increase, which would affect all citizens equally.
❌ This is more about lack of options, not how drivers benefit. Doesn’t counter the fairness argument well.

Hope it was helpful

According to the mayor, replacing old public buses and trains that con

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According to the mayor, replacing old public buses and trains that con

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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