While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:A 2022 municipal study analyzed traffic patterns across 12 major...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- A 2022 municipal study analyzed traffic patterns across 12 major transportation corridors in the city.
- Researchers measured average vehicle speed (VS) during peak hours on each corridor.
- They also calculated carbon emissions per mile (CE) for each corridor.
- Vehicle speeds varied significantly: Highway 45 had the fastest average speed (\(52\text{ mph}\)).
- Downtown Boulevard had the slowest average speed (\(18\text{ mph}\)).
- Despite the speed variations, carbon emissions per mile remained relatively consistent across all 12 corridors (averaging \(0.31\text{ pounds per mile}\)).
The student wants to summarize the study's main findings. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Although the 12 transportation corridors showed considerable variation in vehicle speeds during peak hours, carbon emissions per mile were remarkably consistent across all routes.
Highway 45 produced lower carbon emissions than Downtown Boulevard because vehicles moved at 52 mph compared to only 18 mph.
The municipal study found that faster vehicle speeds on Highway 45 resulted in significantly higher carbon emissions per mile than slower corridors.
Researchers in the 2022 study focused primarily on measuring average vehicle speeds across the city's major transportation corridors.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| A 2022 municipal study analyzed traffic patterns across 12 major transportation corridors in the city. |
|
| Researchers measured average vehicle speed (VS) during peak hours on each corridor. |
|
| They also calculated carbon emissions per mile (CE) for each corridor. |
|
| Vehicle speeds varied significantly: Highway 45 had the fastest average speed (52 mph). |
|
| Downtown Boulevard had the slowest average speed (18 mph). |
|
| Despite the speed variations, carbon emissions per mile remained relatively consistent across all 12 corridors (averaging 0.31 pounds per mile). |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A 2022 study found that while vehicle speeds varied significantly across 12 transportation corridors, carbon emissions per mile remained remarkably consistent.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the study setup and measurements, then presents contrasting findings - significant speed variation but consistent emissions across all corridors, suggesting speed does not directly correlate with emissions per mile.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to summarize the study's main findings.
What type of answer do we need? A synthesis that captures the key findings from the research notes.
Any limiting keywords? Most effectively - we need the best summary, and relevant information - must use information actually from the notes.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should mention that vehicle speeds varied significantly across the corridors
- The right answer should mention that carbon emissions per mile were consistent despite the speed differences
- The right answer should capture the relationship between these two findings - that despite one varying, the other remained consistent
Although the 12 transportation corridors showed considerable variation in vehicle speeds during peak hours, carbon emissions per mile were remarkably consistent across all routes.
- Captures both key findings: speed variation and emissions consistency
- Uses contrast to show the relationship between these findings
- Matches our prethinking by synthesizing both main discoveries
Highway 45 produced lower carbon emissions than Downtown Boulevard because vehicles moved at 52 mph compared to only 18 mph.
- Claims Highway 45 produced lower emissions than Downtown Boulevard
- This contradicts the notes which state emissions were relatively consistent across all 12 corridors
The municipal study found that faster vehicle speeds on Highway 45 resulted in significantly higher carbon emissions per mile than slower corridors.
- Claims Highway 45 had significantly higher carbon emissions per mile than slower corridors
- This directly contradicts the finding that emissions remained consistent across all corridors
Researchers in the 2022 study focused primarily on measuring average vehicle speeds across the city's major transportation corridors.
- Suggests the study focused primarily on measuring average vehicle speeds
- Ignores the emissions measurement and findings entirely
- Misses the main point about the relationship between speed variation and emissions consistency