While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:In 2019, urban planners implemented a bike-sharing program in downtown...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In 2019, urban planners implemented a bike-sharing program in downtown Portland.
- The program introduced 500 electric bikes at 50 stations throughout the central business district.
- Data collected over the first year showed a 23% reduction in short-distance car trips.
- The reduction in car trips led to decreased traffic congestion during peak hours.
- Air quality monitoring revealed measurable improvements in downtown pollution levels.
- These outcomes demonstrate the program's effectiveness in promoting sustainable transportation.
The student wants to present the Portland bike-sharing program and its impact. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
As part of a 2019 sustainability initiative, Portland implemented a bike-sharing program with 500 electric bikes throughout downtown.
A 2019 bike-sharing program in Portland demonstrates effectiveness in promoting sustainable transportation, reducing car trips by 23% and improving air quality.
In 2019, Portland urban planners studied the impact of electric bikes on traffic patterns in the central business district.
Electric bike stations were installed at 50 locations throughout downtown Portland as part of a 2019 transportation program.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In 2019, urban planners implemented a bike-sharing program in downtown Portland." |
|
| "The program introduced 500 electric bikes at 50 stations throughout the central business district." |
|
| "Data collected over the first year showed a 23% reduction in short-distance car trips." |
|
| "The reduction in car trips led to decreased traffic congestion during peak hours." |
|
| "Air quality monitoring revealed measurable improvements in downtown pollution levels." |
|
| "These outcomes demonstrate the program's effectiveness in promoting sustainable transportation." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The 2019 Portland bike-sharing program successfully achieved its sustainability goals by reducing car usage and improving environmental conditions.
Argument Flow: The notes begin with factual program details, then present a chain of measurable positive outcomes (reduced car trips leading to less congestion and better air quality), and conclude that these results prove the program works effectively for sustainable transportation.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish the goal of presenting the Portland bike-sharing program and its impact.
What type of answer do we need? We need a choice that includes both program details AND its measurable impacts/results - not just one or the other.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" means we want the choice that best combines relevant program information with impact data. "Present the program and its impact" requires both elements - describing what the program is AND what it accomplished.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To effectively present both the program and its impact, the correct choice should include:
- Basic program identification (bike-sharing program in Portland, 2019)
- At least one specific measurable impact (like the 23% car trip reduction or air quality improvement)
- Some indication that the program was successful/effective
- The choice should avoid focusing only on setup details or only on study methodology without results. It needs to show what the program accomplished, not just what it was or how it was studied.
- So the right answer should combine program basics with concrete evidence of positive outcomes.
As part of a 2019 sustainability initiative, Portland implemented a bike-sharing program with 500 electric bikes throughout downtown.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions program setup (500 bikes, downtown) but gives no impact information
- Fails the "and its impact" requirement completely
- What trap this represents: Students might think basic program details are sufficient, missing that the question specifically asks for impact information
A 2019 bike-sharing program in Portland demonstrates effectiveness in promoting sustainable transportation, reducing car trips by 23% and improving air quality.
✓ Correct
- Includes program identification (2019 bike-sharing in Portland)
- Provides specific impact data (23% car trip reduction, air quality improvement)
- Includes the conclusion about effectiveness in promoting sustainable transportation
- Perfectly matches the requirement to present both program and impact
In 2019, Portland urban planners studied the impact of electric bikes on traffic patterns in the central business district.
✗ Incorrect
- Only mentions studying the impact, not presenting actual results or program details
- Focuses on methodology rather than findings
- Doesn't accomplish the goal of showing what the program achieved
Electric bike stations were installed at 50 locations throughout downtown Portland as part of a 2019 transportation program.
✗ Incorrect
- Only gives installation details (50 locations, 2019) with no impact information
- Like Choice A, completely ignores the impact requirement
- What trap this represents: Students might confuse program description with program impact, thinking setup details satisfy both requirements