The town council says that the new cycle lanes on Main Road have reduced traffic jams on that road.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the council’s claim?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Since the lanes opened, many people who used to drive along Main Road now cycle there, and fewer cars use the road.
A claim that one thing caused another is strengthened by a fact that shows how the cause produced the result, and weakened by a fact that points to some other cause. Option (4) shows the lanes at work: drivers have switched to cycling, so fewer cars are on Main Road and jams fall.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Cycle lanes have been built in many other towns as well. — Incorrect. What other towns have built says nothing about traffic on this road.
Option (2) During the same months, a new bypass took most of the heavy trucks off Main Road. — Incorrect. This gives another reason for fewer jams, so it weakens the claim.
Option (3) The cycle lanes cost the town more money than it had planned. — Incorrect. The cost has no bearing on whether the lanes reduced jams.