While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Urban traffic congestion has become a critical challenge for city...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
Urban traffic congestion has become a critical challenge for city planners worldwide. Two major approaches have emerged for addressing this issue. A 2022 comprehensive analysis by the Urban Transportation Institute examined congestion reduction strategies in major metropolitan areas. Cities implementing congestion pricing (charging fees for driving in busy areas during peak hours) saw average traffic reduction of 23%. Cities focusing on expanded public transit infrastructure saw average traffic reduction of 15%. Both approaches required significant initial investment from municipal governments. The pricing strategy typically showed results within 18 months of implementation.
The student wants to compare the effectiveness of the two approaches. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Cities using congestion pricing achieved greater traffic reduction than those focusing on public transit expansion.
The 2022 analysis by the Urban Transportation Institute studied two major approaches to reducing urban traffic congestion.
Both congestion pricing and public transit expansion require significant initial investment from city governments.
Two approaches have emerged for addressing traffic congestion: charging fees for peak-hour driving and expanding public transportation.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Urban traffic congestion has become a critical challenge for city planners worldwide.' |
|
| 'Two major approaches have emerged for addressing this issue.' |
|
| 'A 2022 comprehensive analysis by the Urban Transportation Institute examined congestion reduction strategies in major metropolitan areas.' |
|
| 'Cities implementing congestion pricing saw average traffic reduction of 23%.' |
|
| 'Cities focusing on expanded public transit infrastructure saw average traffic reduction of 15%.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Research shows that while both congestion pricing and public transit expansion can reduce urban traffic, congestion pricing achieves greater effectiveness with 23% reduction compared to 15% for transit expansion.
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 right answer should make an effectiveness comparison explicit using the specific percentage data from the research (23% vs 15% reduction rates)
Cities using congestion pricing achieved greater traffic reduction than those focusing on public transit expansion.
- Makes a direct effectiveness comparison using the quantitative data (23% vs 15% reduction rates) and clearly states that congestion pricing achieved greater traffic reduction than public transit
The 2022 analysis by the Urban Transportation Institute studied two major approaches to reducing urban traffic congestion.
- Simply states what the study examined, not what it found
- Provides no comparative information about effectiveness
Both congestion pricing and public transit expansion require significant initial investment from city governments.
- Focuses on cost similarity rather than effectiveness comparison
- Does not address the student's specific goal of comparing effectiveness
Two approaches have emerged for addressing traffic congestion: charging fees for peak-hour driving and expanding public transportation.
- Only identifies that two approaches exist without comparing their effectiveness
- Provides no information about which works better