Urban planner Dr. Emily Park argues that car-free city centers actually improve local business revenues despite initial merchant concerns about lost customer access.

10
reading

Which data would best support Park's counter-intuitive claim?

A

Car-free zones reduce air pollution

B

Many European cities have pedestrian areas

C

After converting to car-free, downtown Oslo businesses saw 40% revenue increase as pedestrian traffic tripled and visitors stayed 50% longer, spending more per visit

D

Public transportation usage increased in some cities

Correct Answer: C

Choice C is the best answer. Revenue numbers + mechanism (more visitors, longer stays, more spending) prove the counter-intuitive benefit.

  1. Context clues: Park claims car-free = better revenue despite access concerns.
  2. Evidence evaluation: 40% revenue increase directly disproves merchant fears.
  3. Verify: Mechanism (3x pedestrians, 50% longer stays) explains why revenue rose.

💡 Strategy: Counter-intuitive claims need both outcome data and explanatory mechanism.

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Set 7: Command of Evidence 7