Solutions

Get detailed explanations to advanced GMAT questions.

Question

Certain politicians in the country of Birangi argue that a 50 percent tax on new automobiles would halt the rapid increase of automobiles on Birangi’s roads and thereby slow the deterioration of Birangi’s air quality. Although most experts agree that such a tax would result in fewer Birangians buying new vehicles and gradually reduce the number of automobiles on Birangi’s roads, they contend that it would have little impact on Birangi’s air-quality problem.

Which of the following, if true in Birangi, would most strongly support the experts’ contention about the effect of the proposed automobile tax on Birangi’s air-quality problem?

Option A:

Automobile emissions are the largest single source of air pollution.

Option B:

Some of the proceeds from the new tax would go toward expanding the nonpolluting commuter rail system.

Option C:

Currently, the sales tax on new automobiles is considerably lower than 50 percent.

Option D:

Automobiles become less fuel efficient and therefore contribute more to air pollution as they age.

Option E:

The scrapping of automobiles causes insignificant amounts of air pollution.

Difficulty Level

Medium

Solution

Option D is the right answer.

Option Analysis

Question type: Resolve the Paradox.

Summary of the argument: Experts believe that the tax will not have an effect on the air quality problem of Biragi despite reducing the number of automobiles on the road.

A) Could be. But this doesn’t bridge the controversy in the argument.

B) This doesn’t tell us why the plan would not help solve the air quality problem of Birangi.

C) No link to the plan.

D) Correct Answer

E) The argument doesn’t talk about the scrapping of Automobiles.