Critical Reasoning

In Acadia National Park, there is a large network of gravel carriage roads that are closed to vehicular traffic but open to a variety of other uses. In an attempt to substantially limit the damage that occurs to the carriage roads from overuse during the course of a year, park officials are imposing strict rules during the spring season. From March 15th to May 1st, when the roads are especially soft and more easily damaged, horses and bikes will be prohibited from all carriage roads, and walkers and runners will only be allowed on certain sections.

In assessing whether the park officials' plan to limit the damage to the carriage roads will be successful, it would be most useful to know which of the following?

A. Whether bikes and horses cause more damage to the carriage roads than walkers and runners do.
B. Whether snowmobilers are allowed to use the carriage roads during the winter months.
C. Whether a considerable percentage of carriage road usage occurs from March 15th to May 1st.
D. Whether some sections of the carriage roads are more susceptible to damage from overuse than others.
E. Whether a substantial percentage of visitors to the park ride their bikes on the carriage roads during their visit.



OA C

Source: Veritas Prep