Manhattan Guide 6, page 123

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Manhattan Guide 6, page 123

by mneeti » Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:54 pm
SC-Guide 6, Page 123

In 2001 the Peruvian government began requiring tourists to buy expensive permits to hike the remote Inca Trail, which goes to the ancient city of Machu Picchu, The total number of permits is strictly limited; infact, only 500 people per day are now allowed to hike the Inca Trail, whereas before 2001 daily visitors numbered in the thousands. The Peruvian government claims that this permit program has successfully prevented deterioration of archaeological treasures along the Inca Trail.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?

(A)Since 2001, tourist guides along the Inca Trail have received 50% to 100% increases in take-home pay.

(B)Villages near Machu Picchu have experienced declines in income, as fewer tourists buy fewer craft goods and refreshments.

(C)Many of the funds from the sale of Inca Trail permits are used to staff a museum of Incan culture in Lima, Peru's capital, and to hire guards for archaeological sites without permit programs.

(D)Since 2001, Incan ruins similar to Machu Picchu but not on the Inca Trail have disintegrated at a significantly greater rate than those on the Inca Trail.

(E)The total number of tourists in Peru has risen substantially since 2001, even as the number of tourists hiking the Inca Trail has remained constant.

My query:

Though I get that the correct answer is (D), I am confused with the wording. I do not get the meaning of Incan ruins similar to Machu Picchu
but not on the Inca Trail
.
If I read (D) without the words "but not on the Inca Trail", I comprehend it better.

Please explain what I am missing out in it?

Thanks!
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by Kasia@EconomistGMAT » Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:13 am
The phrase " Incan ruins similar to Machu Picchu but not on the Inca Trail" means the remains of buildings which are located on another trail.
This phrase is important because it compares the rate of the disintegration of ruins on Inca Trail with the rate of the disintegration of ruins located on another trail. By the way, Machu Picchu are the ruins of the "City of the Incas."
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by mneeti » Tue Jul 24, 2012 2:29 pm
Thanks Kasia for your time, but I am not able to get the meaning of " but not on the Inca Trail" in point (D).Let me put it this way - What is the difference between the following two:

(1)Since 2001, Incan ruins similar to Machu Picchu but not on the Inca Trail have disintegrated at a significantly greater rate than those on the Inca Trail.

(2)Since 2001, Incan ruins similar to Machu Picchu have disintegrated at a significantly greater rate than those on the Inca Trail.

Hope I am able to express my question better and I await your reply. Thanks!