what's the OA? is it E?

probably here its a case of choosing the "best" among the worst answer choices. Its true as you pointed out that the CR bible says "could be true" answers are almost wrong everytime. But in this scenario the "correct" answer here is the best available among the other options.

Someone could correct me if i am wrong here. But thats my understanding.

Thanks
Anish

IMO: B (even though 'point of refusal reached...the bridge was not safe => pt of refusal is not sufficient to ensure bridge safety).

E - wrong bcoz..there is no gurantee that pilings could have gone any deeper

Experts pls comment

In an inference question, we cannot bring in new information, Even though the extract says about "refusal", there is no indication in the extract which says the brigde is unsafe. In the real world yes, but in gmat world its No. So keeping this in mind lets see the options,

A---> the stimulus doesnt mention about unsafe pillings. so incorrect
B--> again talks of safety which is nowhere discussed. so ruled out
C-->this kinda contradicts whats being said in the stimulus since in the stimulus it says Da Ponte had met the contemporary standard for refusal. So wrong
D--> No information given here can be proved by the stimulus. Incorrect
E--> The last sentence in the stimulus indicates that the pilings had been driven into the ground until additional penetration was no greater than 2 inches. This indicates that the pilings could be driven further into the ground, which is what this option suggests. Hence Correct.

So Option E is right.

Is it E?

I am down to C and E....C is out cause passage says that Ponte meets additional penetration into the ground. Therefore, E.