Crowding on Mooreville’s subway frequently leads to delays, because it is difficult for passengers to exit from the trains. Subway ridership is projected to increase by 20 percent over the next 10 years. The Metroville Transit Authority plans to increase the number of daily train trips by only 5 percent over the same period. Officials predict that this increase is sufficient to ensure that the incidence of delays due to crowding does not increase.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest grounds for the officials’ prediction?

Correct answer marked below

By changing maintenance schedules, the Transit Authority can achieve the 5 percent increase in train trips without purchasing any new subway cars.

The Transit Authority also plans a 5 percent increase in the number of bus trips on routes that connect to subways.

For most commuters who use the subway system, there is no practical alternative public transportation available.

Most of the projected increase in ridership is expected to occur in off-peak hours when trains are now sparsely used.

Correct

The 5 percent increase in the number of train trips can be achieved without an equal increase in Transit Authority operational costs.

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What this question tests

Whether you can identify the option that most bolsters an argument's conclusion.

Choosing an option that is consistent with the argument but adds no new support, or that shifts the topic.