Transportation ModeMinutes to downtown during off-peakMinutes to downtown during rush hourMinutes to suburbs during off-peakMinutes to suburbs during ...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
| Transportation Mode | Minutes to downtown during off-peak | Minutes to downtown during rush hour | Minutes to suburbs during off-peak | Minutes to suburbs during rush hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal vehicle | 18.5 | 42.3 | 12.7 | 28.1 |
| Public transit | 25.2 | 31.7 | 35.4 | 48.6 |
| Bicycle | 22.8 | 24.1 | 19.6 | 21.3 |
| Rideshare | 19.7 | 39.8 | 14.2 | 26.9 |
Urban planners analyzed commute efficiency by examining how traffic conditions affect different transportation modes when traveling to various destinations. They measured travel times during peak and off-peak hours for trips to downtown areas versus suburban locations across multiple transportation options. The planners concluded that traffic conditions impact travel time in ways that depend on both the chosen transportation mode and the destination type.
Which choice best describes data from the table that support the researchers' conclusion?
Personal vehicles and rideshare services showed similar rush-hour delays regardless of destination, while public transit and bicycles maintained more consistent travel times.
For downtown trips, rush hour dramatically increased times for personal vehicles and rideshare but minimally affected bicycles, whereas for suburban trips, rush hour impacted all modes differently than downtown patterns.
Traffic conditions led to longer travel times during rush hour for three transportation modes (personal vehicle, public transit, rideshare), while bicycles showed the least time variation.
Personal vehicles required 18.5 minutes to reach downtown during off-peak hours and 12.7 minutes to reach suburban areas during the same period.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Urban planners analyzed commute efficiency by examining how traffic conditions affect different transportation modes when traveling to various destinations." |
|
| "They measured travel times during peak and off-peak hours for trips to downtown areas versus suburban locations across multiple transportation options." |
|
| "The planners concluded that traffic conditions impact travel time in ways that depend on both the chosen transportation mode and the destination type." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Traffic conditions affect travel times differently depending on both the transportation mode used and whether the destination is downtown or suburban.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a research study examining commute efficiency, describes the systematic methodology measuring various combinations of time periods, destinations, and transport modes, then presents the key finding that traffic impacts vary based on both transportation choice and destination type.
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 researchers concluded that traffic impact depends on BOTH transportation mode AND destination type
- So the right answer should show that different transportation modes respond differently to rush hour traffic
- Show that the same transportation mode responds differently to rush hour depending on destination (downtown vs suburban)
- Provide specific evidence from the table that demonstrates both factors matter
Personal vehicles and rideshare services showed similar rush-hour delays regardless of destination, while public transit and bicycles maintained more consistent travel times.
- Claims personal vehicles and rideshare showed similar delays "regardless of destination"
- This contradicts the table data - personal vehicles increase 23.8 min for downtown vs 15.4 min for suburban; rideshare increases 20.1 min downtown vs 12.7 min suburban
For downtown trips, rush hour dramatically increased times for personal vehicles and rideshare but minimally affected bicycles, whereas for suburban trips, rush hour impacted all modes differently than downtown patterns.
- Accurately describes downtown pattern: dramatic increases for personal vehicles and rideshare, minimal for bicycles
- Correctly notes suburban trips show different patterns than downtown for all modes
- Directly supports the conclusion by showing both mode AND destination matter for traffic impact
Traffic conditions led to longer travel times during rush hour for three transportation modes (personal vehicle, public transit, rideshare), while bicycles showed the least time variation.
- Only addresses the transportation mode factor while completely ignoring the destination type factor from the researchers conclusion
Personal vehicles required 18.5 minutes to reach downtown during off-peak hours and 12.7 minutes to reach suburban areas during the same period.
- Simply states two data points without connecting them to the conclusion or addressing how traffic conditions impact different modes or destinations