Bridge repair

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chetan86: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 72; Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:14 am; Thanked: 2 times

by chetan86 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:21 am

Governor: The bridge that spans the Brookline and Kings boroughs is in desperate need of repair with estimates in the range of $30 million. Over one million vehicles cross the bridge each day. Therefore, if the city charges a mere $1 dollar toll for crossing the bridge, we will be able to raise enough funds to make repairs to the bridge within a month.

Which of the following is an assumption upon which the governor's argument depends?

(A) The bridge, if not repaired, will likely collapse, causing the deaths of many people.
(B) The toll will not cause a significant hardship on the commuters that use the bridge.
(C) The toll will not induce some commuters to use mass transit when traveling between the two boroughs.
(D) After the repairs to the bridge are complete, it is estimated that the bridge will be able to handle 20% more traffic.
(E)Most of the residents in Brookline and Kings use the bridge to commute to work each day.

Source: Veritas prep
OA : C
Why B is not the correct answer?

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:21 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:17 am

Hi chetan86,

CR questions that are based on a "plan" always have a base-assumption that everything else will "stay the same." In that way, the plan should work because the author doesn't have to take anything else into account.

Here, the Governor has a plan:

The Facts:
-The bridge is need of repairs that will cost about $30 million.
-Over 1 million vehicles cross the bridge each day.
-The city plans to charge a $1 toll to cross the bridge.

The Conclusion:
-The toll will raise enough money to repair the bridge within a month.

This plan seems reasonable, IF you assume that everything stays the same. IF a million vehicles continue to cross the bridge AND pay the toll EACH DAY, then it's reasonable to conclude that the plan will raise $1 million a day and $30 million in a month.

The correct answer C confirms that people who would normally drive across the bridge won't change their habits (and use mass transit; re: a bus). You asked about answer B, but the idea that the toll might cause a hardship on the commuters is irrelevant. Even if it DID cause a hardship, as long as the drivers continue to use the bridge then the plan would work.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

chetan86: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 72; Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:14 am; Thanked: 2 times

by chetan86 » Tue Jul 08, 2014 10:19 pm

chetan86 wrote:Governor: The bridge that spans the Brookline and Kings boroughs is in desperate need of repair with estimates in the range of $30 million. Over one million vehicles cross the bridge each day. Therefore, if the city charges a mere $1 dollar toll for crossing the bridge, we will be able to raise enough funds to make repairs to the bridge within a month.

Which of the following is an assumption upon which the governor's argument depends?

(A) The bridge, if not repaired, will likely collapse, causing the deaths of many people.
(B) The toll will not cause a significant hardship on the commuters that use the bridge.
(C) The toll will not induce some commuters to use mass transit when traveling between the two boroughs.
(D) After the repairs to the bridge are complete, it is estimated that the bridge will be able to handle 20% more traffic.
(E)Most of the residents in Brookline and Kings use the bridge to commute to work each day.

Source: Veritas prep
OA : C
Why B is not the correct answer?

Hi Rich,

Thanks a lot for your explanation. It was very much helpful to understand the issue.

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