Critical Reasoning

The mayor of Island City has proposed that the toll on all bridges leading into the city be doubled after the first of next year. The mayor claims that the increased fee will cause large numbers of motorists to choose alternate forms of transportation into the city. According to the mayor, this shift will benefit the environment because of lower automobile emissions, will decrease traffic congestion in the city center, and will increase revenues for the city's light rail system.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument put forth by the mayor EXCEPT:

a) In order to avoid the new toll, many motorists will begin using car ferries to the city. The ferries are known to produce large amounts of toxic emissions.
b)In a recent survey, 98% of automobile commuters to the city claim that the increase in tolls will not cause them to stop driving to the city every day.
c)In addition to the increased tolls, the city council intends to lower the charge for the city's light rail system.
D)Island City has planned a large number of street renovation projects to begin in the city center at the same time as the increased bridge tolls.
e) The increased toll will result in an increase of approximately $1,500 per year for each motorist that drives into the city five times a week.

bryan88 wrote:The mayor of Island City has proposed that the toll on all bridges leading into the city be doubled after the first of next year. The mayor claims that the increased fee will cause large numbers of motorists to choose alternate forms of transportation into the city. According to the mayor, this shift will benefit the environment because of lower automobile emissions, will decrease traffic congestion in the city center, and will increase revenues for the city's light rail system.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument put forth by the mayor EXCEPT:

a) In order to avoid the new toll, many motorists will begin using car ferries to the city. The ferries are known to produce large amounts of toxic emissions.
b)In a recent survey, 98% of automobile commuters to the city claim that the increase in tolls will not cause them to stop driving to the city every day.
c)In addition to the increased tolls, the city council intends to lower the charge for the city's light rail system.
D)Island City has planned a large number of street renovation projects to begin in the city center at the same time as the increased bridge tolls.
e) The increased toll will result in an increase of approximately $1,500 per year for each motorist that drives into the city five times a week.

Answer is E..... The conclusion is as follows: The use of LRT will decrease congestion, improve revenue, lower automobile emissions.

A and B weakens cause they will not add to the LRT revenues and wont stop using cars.
C weakens cause if LRT fares drop, we cannot realistically say that LRT revenues will increase
D says congestion still wont be solved.
E is irrelevant. It does not say specifically that revenues of LRT will be increased, nor any of the objectives solved.

I goofed up by first choosing C. since the answer was not mentioned read again and realised E made more sense. OA please?

Its a real tough one and C is really tempting but I would go with E!

The conclusion is three fold- environmental cleansing, lesser traffic congestion and increased revenues of the rail system

A negates environmental cleansing
B states that motorists will still drive into the city inspite of the increased toll so this also weakens the argument
C talks of subsidized rail fares which may not lead to increased revenues of the rail system
D talks of street renovations which will leads to traffic congestion.
E does nothing for the argument i.e., neither weakens nor strengthens it.

C is really really tempting.

But would go with E!

straight arrived at option E in 2 minutes and 8 seconds.
option E is irrelevant and does not affect the argument in any way. Reasons are already explained by others above.