Critical Reasoning

The city government should invest surplus funds in improving the city's transportation network. Most of the network was put in place at a time when the city was much smaller in both area and population. The subway system is outdated and understaffed. The buses rarely run on schedule and their routes are inconvenient. If the city does not make changes soon to the network, it will see many of its prized industries relocate to more convenient cities and, as a result, the city's financial health will be jeopardized.

In the argument above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?


The first is an explanation of a current state of affairs; the second is a prediction based on that state of affairs.


The first is a statement of fact in opposition to the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.


The first emphasizes an existing problem; the second offers a proposal to solve that problem.


The first is information the author suggests has been overlooked in the situation at hand; the second describes that situation.


The first is a justification of an impending problem; the second describes the consequences of that problem.

I think you could narrow it down to A and E and possible contenders.

I think E is more correct however because the first statement is really justifying why there are problems with the network vs. explaining the current state of the network (suggested by answer choice A). Also the second boldface statement uses "it will" which means that the author is not predicting anything rather they know for a fact what the outcome will be.

Could narrow down to A,C,E.
The conclusion of the argument is "The city government should invest surplus funds in improving the city's transportation network."

The first is an explanation of a current state of affairs; the second is a prediction based on that state of affairs.
1st bold statement is not a explanation of current state of affairs. Even though the 2nd stmt is a prediction on the state of affairs. Rule out A

The first is a statement of fact in opposition to the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.
1st statement if any supports the conclusion. 2nd bold statement is not a conclusion. Rule out B

The first emphasizes an existing problem; the second offers a proposal to solve that problem.
1st stmt explains the problem. 2nd does not offers a proposal to solve. It reflects the consequences. Rule out C

The first is information the author suggests has been overlooked in the situation at hand; the second describes that situation.
1st stmt. No information in the passage to suggest that the 1st stmt was overlooked. 2nd stmt describes the situation. Rule out D


the first statement explains the reasons of the problem.
Second statement describes the consequences of the problem.
and that is answer E

What is OA ?

First one describes what caused the problem
Second one gives us what needs to be done and what happens if not
The first sentence is the conclusion: SHOULD INVEST MORE!

The first is an explanation of a current state of affairs; the second is a prediction based on that state of affairs.

It is not the current state


The first is a statement of fact in opposition to the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion. wrong


The first emphasizes an existing problem; the second offers a proposal to solve that problem. Wrong ( it is the cause , not the problem )


The first is information the author suggests has been overlooked in the situation at hand; the second describes that situation.


The first is a justification of an impending( to be about to occur) problem; the second describes the consequences of that problem.

IMO: E

Following two come close:

The first is a statement of fact in opposition to the author's conclusion; the second is that conclusion.

Second is a conclusion, but first doesn't oppose that.

The first is a justification of an impending problem; the second describes the consequences of that problem.
Yes First seems to justify current issues, and second can be taken as consequence of that. As when plans were made the city was too small.

Argument didn't justify; it explained.

I'm with (A)

What is the probability of owner posting the OA ? my guess 0%

A looks good