assumption

Expert replies

Deepthi Subbu: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 298; Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:09 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by Deepthi Subbu » Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:08 pm

Doubling the cost of public transportation to compensate for money lost by declining ridership
would be disastrous. The greater expense would only further discourage commuters who are
already dissatisfied with the poor condition of buses and trains. If the fares are increased,
many commuters will choose to drive their cars instead, causing pollution and traffic congestion.
As a result, the city will lose money and become even more noisy and smog-filled than it is now.
Which of the following is an assumption made in advancing the argument above?

(A) Commuters who decide to drive instead of using public transportation will not share
rides with one another.

(B) Commuters will not park their cars in garages and thereby spend more money
than they would by using buses or trains.

(C) The condition of public transportation will not improve as a result of the fare
increase.

(D) Commuters who use their own cars currently outnumber those who use buses
and trains.

(E) A significant number of people who now use public transportation have cars or can
easily obtain them.

OA to follow

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:08 pm

krishnasty: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 142; Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:03 am; Thanked: 19 times

by krishnasty » Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:17 pm

I'll go with E.
Reason: The main concern is that public transport commuters would quit and drive in their cars WHICH would result in the city loosing money and pollution level increasing. It's an assumption that every1 who uses public transport has a car.

---------------------------------------
Appreciation in thanks please!!

sam2304: Legendary Member; Posts: 1239; Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:25 amFollowed by: 26 members; Thanked: 233 times; GMAT Score:680

by sam2304 » Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:23 pm

IMO C.

The greater expense would only further discourage commuters who are already dissatisfied with the poor condition of buses and trains. -> Already the public transport condition is bad.

If the fares are increased, many commuters will choose to drive their cars instead, causing pollution and traffic congestion. -> People assume that condition will not improve so switch to cars.

Getting defeated is just a temporary notion, giving it up is what makes it permanent.
https://gmatandbeyond.blogspot.in/

ColumbiaVC: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 93; Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 10:30 amFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 1 times

by ColumbiaVC » Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:38 pm

badpoem: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 139; Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 11:06 pm; Thanked: 4 times; GMAT Score:710

by badpoem » Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:40 pm

Between A and E, I will go with E. E seems to be a very basic assumption.

sam2304: Legendary Member; Posts: 1239; Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:25 amFollowed by: 26 members; Thanked: 233 times; GMAT Score:680

by sam2304 » Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:57 pm

Isn't E already stated in the passage ?

If the fares are increased, many commuters will choose to drive their cars instead, causing pollution and traffic congestion. -> already stated they have cars. No need to assume that i suppose. Correct me if i am wrong.

Getting defeated is just a temporary notion, giving it up is what makes it permanent.
https://gmatandbeyond.blogspot.in/

sl750: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 496; Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 5:34 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 38 times

by sl750 » Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:45 am

Conclusion

As a result the city will lose more money and become even more smog filled

Only E addresses this. If commuters didn't own cars nor could access them easily, they would be forced
to use public transport thereby invalidating the conclusion

C is talking about the condition of public transport. How is that relevant in deciding whether the city will lose money or that the city traffic will become more congested?

Deepthi Subbu: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 298; Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:09 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by Deepthi Subbu » Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:13 am

OA E

navami: Legendary Member; Posts: 540; Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:24 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 37 times

by navami » Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:50 am

IMO E

This time no looking back!!!
Navami

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review