While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:The city of Portland implemented a comprehensive bike lane network...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The city of Portland implemented a comprehensive bike lane network starting in the 1990s.
- Portland's bike infrastructure includes protected lanes, bike signals, and secure parking facilities.
- The bike lane system connects residential neighborhoods to downtown business districts.
- Portland also developed a public transit system with buses and light rail trains.
- The public transit network serves the same residential areas and downtown destinations as the bike lanes.
- Together, these transportation options have reduced car dependency and improved air quality.
The student wants to show how Portland's transportation strategies work together. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Portland's bike infrastructure includes protected lanes, signals, and parking that serve residential and business areas.
Portland's bike lanes and public transit both connect neighborhoods to downtown, creating complementary transportation options that have improved the city's environmental quality.
Starting in the 1990s, Portland implemented both bike lanes and public transit systems.
Portland's transportation improvements have reduced car dependency and improved air quality.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The city of Portland implemented a comprehensive bike lane network starting in the 1990s." |
|
| "Portland's bike infrastructure includes protected lanes, bike signals, and secure parking facilities." |
|
| "The bike lane system connects residential neighborhoods to downtown business districts." |
|
| "Portland also developed a public transit system with buses and light rail trains." |
|
| "The public transit network serves the same residential areas and downtown destinations as the bike lanes." |
|
| "Together, these transportation options have reduced car dependency and improved air quality." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Portland created two complementary transportation systems that serve the same areas and together have reduced car dependency while improving environmental quality.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes Portland's bike infrastructure first, then introduces the transit system, shows that both systems serve identical geographic areas, and concludes by demonstrating their combined positive environmental impact.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To show how strategies "work together," the correct answer must mention both the bike system AND the public transit system, not just one
- It should show some kind of relationship between them and demonstrate coordination rather than just listing separate facts
Portland's bike infrastructure includes protected lanes, signals, and parking that serve residential and business areas.
- Only mentions bike infrastructure, completely ignores the transit system
- Doesn't show strategies working together since it only discusses one strategy
Portland's bike lanes and public transit both connect neighborhoods to downtown, creating complementary transportation options that have improved the city's environmental quality.
- Mentions both bike lanes AND public transit systems
- Shows they're "complementary" and includes their combined environmental impact
- Perfectly addresses how they work together
Starting in the 1990s, Portland implemented both bike lanes and public transit systems.
- Mentions both systems but only states they were implemented
- Doesn't explain HOW they work together, just that they both exist
Portland's transportation improvements have reduced car dependency and improved air quality.
- Focuses on results without specifying what strategies created these results
- Doesn't identify the specific transportation approaches that work together