Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
-12:00 PM EDT
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
Apr 2912:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
Learn how Kamakshi achieved a GMAT 675 with an impressive 96th %ile in Data Insights. Discover the unique methods and exam strategies that helped her excel in DI along with other sections for a balanced and high score.
Apr 3001:30 AM EDT
-02:30 AM EDT
At one point, she believed GMAT wasn’t for her. After scoring 595, self-doubt crept in and she questioned her potential. But instead of quitting, she made the right strategic changes. The result? A remarkable comeback to 695. Check out how Saakshi did it.
May 0111:00 AM PDT
-12:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!
May 0306:30 AM PDT
-08:30 AM PDT
Verbal trouble on GMAT? Fix it NOW! Join Sunita Singhvi for a focused webinar on actionable strategies to boost your Verbal score and take your performance to the next level.
08 Dec 2024, 08:42
Kudos
Bookmarks
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
85%
(hard)
Question Stats:
57% (02:25) correct
43%
(02:36)
wrong
based on 268
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Scenario:
A city council has proposed a new public transportation initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions. The plan involves expanding the city’s bus network, increasing the frequency of service, and introducing electric buses to replace older diesel models. Supporters of the initiative argue that enhanced public transportation will lead to a significant decrease in the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby alleviating traffic jams and contributing to environmental sustainability. Additionally, they claim that the introduction of electric buses will reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint and improve air quality.
However, critics of the proposal point out that the current public transportation system is already operating at maximum capacity and that expanding the bus network may require substantial public funding, which could lead to increased taxes or reallocation of funds from other essential services. They also argue that electric buses may not sufficiently reduce emissions if the city’s electricity grid relies heavily on fossil fuels.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the critics’ argument against the city council’s proposed public transportation initiative?
(A) Studies have shown that public transportation usage tends to decline in cities after the initial expansion period due to maintenance challenges.
(B) The city’s electricity grid is projected to transition to renewable energy sources within the next five years.
(C) Similar public transportation initiatives in neighboring cities have successfully reduced traffic congestion and emissions without increasing taxes.
(D) Electric buses have been found to require less maintenance and have longer lifespans than diesel buses.
(E) Surveys indicate that a majority of the city’s residents prefer using private vehicles over public transportation for their daily commutes.
A city council has proposed a new public transportation initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions. The plan involves expanding the city’s bus network, increasing the frequency of service, and introducing electric buses to replace older diesel models. Supporters of the initiative argue that enhanced public transportation will lead to a significant decrease in the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby alleviating traffic jams and contributing to environmental sustainability. Additionally, they claim that the introduction of electric buses will reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint and improve air quality.
However, critics of the proposal point out that the current public transportation system is already operating at maximum capacity and that expanding the bus network may require substantial public funding, which could lead to increased taxes or reallocation of funds from other essential services. They also argue that electric buses may not sufficiently reduce emissions if the city’s electricity grid relies heavily on fossil fuels.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the critics’ argument against the city council’s proposed public transportation initiative?
(A) Studies have shown that public transportation usage tends to decline in cities after the initial expansion period due to maintenance challenges.
(B) The city’s electricity grid is projected to transition to renewable energy sources within the next five years.
(C) Similar public transportation initiatives in neighboring cities have successfully reduced traffic congestion and emissions without increasing taxes.
(D) Electric buses have been found to require less maintenance and have longer lifespans than diesel buses.
(E) Surveys indicate that a majority of the city’s residents prefer using private vehicles over public transportation for their daily commutes.
08 Dec 2024, 08:45
Kudos
Bookmarks
Answer:E. Surveys indicate that a majority of the city’s residents prefer using private vehicles over public transportation for their daily commutes.
Explanation:
To determine which option most strengthens the critics’ argument, we need to identify the choice that best supports the critics’ concerns about the proposed public transportation initiative.
Original Critics’ Arguments:
1. The current public transportation system is already at maximum capacity.
2. Expanding the bus network requires substantial public funding, potentially leading to increased taxes or reallocation from other services.
3. Electric buses may not significantly reduce emissions if the electricity grid relies on fossil fuels.
Analyzing Each Option:
A.Studies have shown that public transportation usage tends to decline in cities after the initial expansion period due to maintenance challenges.
• Impact: Suggests that even if the bus network is expanded, usage may not sustain, undermining the effectiveness of the initiative.
• Effect:Strengthens the critics’ argument by indicating that expansion may not yield long-term benefits.
B.The city’s electricity grid is projected to transition to renewable energy sources within the next five years.
• Impact: Implies that electric buses will become more environmentally friendly over time.
• Effect:Weakens the critics’ argument regarding the limited environmental benefits of electric buses.
C.Similar public transportation initiatives in neighboring cities have successfully reduced traffic congestion and emissions without increasing taxes.
• Impact: Provides evidence that such initiatives can be effective without the drawbacks the critics mention.
• Effect:Weakens the critics’ argument by offering a counterexample to their concerns.
D.Electric buses have been found to require less maintenance and have longer lifespans than diesel buses.
• Impact: Highlights additional benefits of electric buses, such as cost savings and durability.
• Effect:Weakens the critics’ argument by presenting advantages that support the initiative.
E.Surveys indicate that a majority of the city’s residents prefer using private vehicles over public transportation for their daily commutes.
• Impact: Suggests that even with an expanded bus network, a significant portion of residents may not switch to public transportation.
• Effect:Strengthens the critics’ argument by indicating that the initiative may not effectively reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby failing to alleviate traffic congestion and achieve environmental goals.
Conclusion:
While Option A also strengthens the critics’ position by suggesting that expansion may not be sustainable, Option E more directly addresses the core of the critics’ argument regarding the effectiveness of the initiative in reducing private vehicle usage. If the majority of residents prefer private vehicles, expanding public transportation may not achieve the desired outcomes, thereby reinforcing the critics’ stance against the proposal.
Explanation:
To determine which option most strengthens the critics’ argument, we need to identify the choice that best supports the critics’ concerns about the proposed public transportation initiative.
Original Critics’ Arguments:
1. The current public transportation system is already at maximum capacity.
2. Expanding the bus network requires substantial public funding, potentially leading to increased taxes or reallocation from other services.
3. Electric buses may not significantly reduce emissions if the electricity grid relies on fossil fuels.
Analyzing Each Option:
A.Studies have shown that public transportation usage tends to decline in cities after the initial expansion period due to maintenance challenges.
• Impact: Suggests that even if the bus network is expanded, usage may not sustain, undermining the effectiveness of the initiative.
• Effect:Strengthens the critics’ argument by indicating that expansion may not yield long-term benefits.
B.The city’s electricity grid is projected to transition to renewable energy sources within the next five years.
• Impact: Implies that electric buses will become more environmentally friendly over time.
• Effect:Weakens the critics’ argument regarding the limited environmental benefits of electric buses.
C.Similar public transportation initiatives in neighboring cities have successfully reduced traffic congestion and emissions without increasing taxes.
• Impact: Provides evidence that such initiatives can be effective without the drawbacks the critics mention.
• Effect:Weakens the critics’ argument by offering a counterexample to their concerns.
D.Electric buses have been found to require less maintenance and have longer lifespans than diesel buses.
• Impact: Highlights additional benefits of electric buses, such as cost savings and durability.
• Effect:Weakens the critics’ argument by presenting advantages that support the initiative.
E.Surveys indicate that a majority of the city’s residents prefer using private vehicles over public transportation for their daily commutes.
• Impact: Suggests that even with an expanded bus network, a significant portion of residents may not switch to public transportation.
• Effect:Strengthens the critics’ argument by indicating that the initiative may not effectively reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby failing to alleviate traffic congestion and achieve environmental goals.
Conclusion:
While Option A also strengthens the critics’ position by suggesting that expansion may not be sustainable, Option E more directly addresses the core of the critics’ argument regarding the effectiveness of the initiative in reducing private vehicle usage. If the majority of residents prefer private vehicles, expanding public transportation may not achieve the desired outcomes, thereby reinforcing the critics’ stance against the proposal.
Shlokzanwar
Joined: 21 Jul 2024
Last visit: 14 May 2025
Posts: 6
Given Kudos: 5
Location: India
Schools: Stanford (S)
GMAT Focus 1: 695 Q87 V81 DI85 
GMAT Focus 2: 755 Q90 V88 DI84
GPA: 8.55
13 Dec 2024, 07:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
I didnt get how we rejected option A
Both A and E sound good
In fact A sounds better to me
Please help
Both A and E sound good
In fact A sounds better to me
Please help
