A student conducting research has compiled these observations:City buses operate on predetermined routes with fixed scheduling systemsBus infrastructu...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
A student conducting research has compiled these observations:
- City buses operate on predetermined routes with fixed scheduling systems
- Bus infrastructure demands significant investment in stops, maintenance facilities, and fleet management
- Microtransit services deploy small vehicles that respond to real-time passenger requests through mobile applications
- These flexible systems can efficiently serve low-density neighborhoods where traditional bus routes prove economically unfeasible
- Microtransit provides personalized door-to-door transportation that adapts dynamically to demand patterns
- Urban planners view microtransit as addressing gaps in conventional public transit coverage
The student aims to highlight an advantage that microtransit offers. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Microtransit services, which provide personalized door-to-door transportation and adapt dynamically to demand, overcome the scheduling and route limitations inherent in traditional bus systems.
Urban planners view microtransit as addressing gaps in conventional public transit coverage, though buses still require significant infrastructure investment.
Microtransit uses mobile applications to deploy small vehicles, while city buses operate on predetermined routes.
Both microtransit and bus systems can serve urban transportation needs, but they use different operational approaches.
Looking at this rhetorical synthesis question, I need to help the student understand how to identify which choice best highlights microtransit's advantages using the research notes.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| City buses operate on predetermined routes with fixed scheduling systems |
|
| Bus infrastructure demands significant investment in stops, maintenance facilities, and fleet management |
|
| Microtransit services deploy small vehicles that respond to real-time passenger requests through mobile applications |
|
| These flexible systems can efficiently serve low-density neighborhoods where traditional bus routes prove economically unfeasible |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The research notes compare traditional bus systems with microtransit services, highlighting several advantages that microtransit offers over conventional buses.
Argument Flow: The notes first establish how traditional buses operate (fixed routes/schedules) and their high infrastructure costs. They then introduce microtransit as a flexible alternative that uses small vehicles and mobile apps.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student wants to highlight an advantage that microtransit offers
What type of answer do we need? A statement that effectively uses the research notes to show how microtransit is better than traditional systems
Any limiting keywords? None specified
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- From our analysis, microtransit has several clear advantages
- Flexibility, personalized door-to-door service, adapts dynamically to demand
- Serves areas where buses aren't economically viable
- Fills gaps in conventional transit coverage
- The right answer should clearly present one or more of these advantages and show how microtransit surpasses traditional buses
Microtransit services, which provide personalized door-to-door transportation and adapt dynamically to demand, overcome the scheduling and route limitations inherent in traditional bus systems.
✓ Correct
- Highlights multiple advantages: personalized door-to-door transportation and adapt dynamically to demand
- Shows clear contrast with buses' scheduling and route limitations
- Uses language directly from the research notes
Urban planners view microtransit as addressing gaps in conventional public transit coverage, though buses still require significant infrastructure investment.
✗ Incorrect
- Mentions urban planners but shifts focus to bus infrastructure investment rather than microtransit advantages
- Doesn't effectively highlight microtransit's advantages as the primary focus
Microtransit uses mobile applications to deploy small vehicles, while city buses operate on predetermined routes.
✗ Incorrect
- Simply states facts about both systems without showing any advantage
- Fails to highlight any actual advantage - just describes neutral differences
Both microtransit and bus systems can serve urban transportation needs, but they use different operational approaches.
✗ Incorrect
- Treats both systems as equally valid alternatives
- Doesn't highlight any advantage of microtransit over buses
- Completely fails to accomplish the student's goal