Set 4: Inferences (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
Urban planners have observed that cities designed around cars—with wide highways and sprawling suburbs—often struggle with longer commute times than older cities with dense, walkable cores. Counter-intuitively, adding more highway lanes frequently fails to reduce congestion, as improved roads attract additional drivers.
What can be inferred about urban transportation planning?
Detailed Explanation
This question asks you to draw a logical conclusion from the text. More lanes attract more drivers = counterproductive feedback loop. Intended benefit is negated. A valid inference must be supported by evidence in the passage, even if not stated directly. Look for clues in the text that strongly suggest the answer. Avoid conclusions that require assumptions beyond what's written. Valid inferences are strongly supported by multiple pieces of evidence in the text. Be cautious of choices that go too far beyond what the passage actually states. The best inference is the one most directly supported by textual evidence.
Key Evidence:
• "fails to reduce congestion"
• "improved roads attract additional drivers"
Why others are wrong: A (Adding lanes often 'fails to reduce congestion.'), B (Preferences aren't discussed.), D (Dense cities have shorter commutes.).