Question

A city introduced a new bus rapid transit system, and within a year traffic congestion in the city center fell by 30 percent. The transport minister concluded that the new bus system was responsible for reducing the congestion. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the minister's conclusion?

• A. The bus rapid transit system was used by thousands of commuters every day.
• B. The bus system was more expensive to build than the city had originally expected.
• C. Several neighbouring cities have also recently built bus rapid transit systems.
• D. During the same year, a large employer relocated its offices out of the city center, removing many daily commuters.

Hint:

Look for an option that offers a completely separate explanation for the drop in congestion, rather than one that just describes the bus system's popularity or cost.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The minister assumes the bus system caused the drop in congestion. If a large employer left the city center in the same year and took many daily commuters away, that provides an alternative cause for the fall, undermining the claim that the bus system was responsible. High daily ridership would support, not weaken; cost and neighbouring cities are irrelevant to the cause. The correct option is 'During the same year, a large employer relocated its offices out of the city center, removing many daily commuters.'