Traffic congestion varies significantly across different neighborhoods in the same city, even when road capacity appears similar. A team of...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Traffic congestion varies significantly across different neighborhoods in the same city, even when road capacity appears similar. A team of urban planning researchers led by Dr. James Chen examined whether local business patterns might influence traffic flow efficiency. The team monitored traffic patterns in various commercial districts over several months, comparing areas with smooth traffic flow to those experiencing frequent congestion. They concluded that the presence of certain types of businesses might explain the differences in traffic flow patterns.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the team's conclusion?
Both smooth-flowing and congested areas contained similar numbers of total businesses per square block.
Areas with smooth traffic flow tended to have significantly wider parking spaces than congested areas did.
Areas with smooth traffic flow contained significantly more businesses that staggered their operating hours throughout the day than congested areas did.
Most commercial districts experienced peak congestion during rush hours regardless of the types and distribution of businesses in the area.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Traffic congestion varies significantly across different neighborhoods in the same city, even when road capacity appears similar. |
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| A team of urban planning researchers led by Dr. James Chen examined whether local business patterns might influence traffic flow efficiency. |
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| The team monitored traffic patterns in various commercial districts over several months, comparing areas with smooth traffic flow to those experiencing frequent congestion. |
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| They concluded that the presence of certain types of businesses might explain the differences in traffic flow patterns. |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers concluded that specific types of businesses might explain why some areas have smooth traffic flow while others experience congestion.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a puzzling traffic pattern, introduces research investigating whether business patterns could explain it, describes the comparative methodology, and states the conclusion that certain business types likely account for the traffic differences.
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
- The team concluded that certain types of businesses explain traffic flow differences
- To support this, we need evidence showing:
- A specific business characteristic or type that differs between smooth and congested areas
- This difference correlates with the traffic patterns they observed
- The finding directly connects business patterns to traffic flow efficiency
Both smooth-flowing and congested areas contained similar numbers of total businesses per square block.
✗ Incorrect
- States both areas had similar total numbers of businesses
- This actually weakens the conclusion by suggesting business quantity doesn't matter
- Doesn't address the types of businesses that the conclusion focuses on
Areas with smooth traffic flow tended to have significantly wider parking spaces than congested areas did.
✗ Incorrect
- Discusses parking space width, not business types or patterns
- While parking might affect traffic, this finding doesn't support the specific conclusion about business types
Areas with smooth traffic flow contained significantly more businesses that staggered their operating hours throughout the day than congested areas did.
✓ Correct
- Shows smooth areas had more businesses with staggered operating hours
- This identifies a specific business operating pattern that correlates with smooth traffic
- Directly supports the conclusion that certain business characteristics explain traffic differences
Most commercial districts experienced peak congestion during rush hours regardless of the types and distribution of businesses in the area.
✗ Incorrect
- States all areas had rush hour congestion regardless of business types
- This actually contradicts the conclusion by suggesting business types don't matter
- Would weaken rather than support the team's finding