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Difficulty: EasyIdentifying Primary Purpose and Main Idea

For decades, urban planners assumed that constructing additional highways was the most effective method to alleviate traffic congestion in growing metropolitan areas. However, recent urban transportation studies demonstrate that expanding road capacity often triggers a phenomenon known as "induced demand," wherein newly generated road space rapidly attracts additional drivers who previously utilized public transit or traveled during off-peak hours. Consequently, traffic congestion typically returns to pre-expansion levels within a few years. To address urban mobility more sustainably, modern transit analysts advocate for congestion pricing models and expanded high-capacity public transport networks rather than continued roadway expansion.

Which of the following best states the primary purpose of the passage?

  1. To explain why expanding road capacity fails to resolve traffic congestion long-term and present alternative approaches.Answer
  2. B
    To define the concept of induced demand and detail how driver travel times fluctuate during peak hours.
  3. C
    To denounce traditional urban planners for intentionally creating traffic congestion in growing cities.
  4. D
    To argue that traditional highway expansion remains superior to public transit networks despite recent studies.
  5. E
    To prove that implementing congestion pricing completely eliminates all traffic delays across metropolitan areas.

Answer

The primary purpose of the passage is to explain why expanding road capacity fails to resolve traffic congestion long-term and present alternative approaches.
The author introduces a traditional practice, shows why it fails using the concept of induced demand, and concludes by presenting modern alternatives such as congestion pricing and expanded transit networks. The option stating that the purpose is to explain why expanding road capacity fails and present alternative approaches encompasses this full scope accurately.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze passage structure and locate main claim
The passage opens with a traditional view (highway expansion alleviates congestion), introduces a structural pivot ('However'), presents evidence of failure ('induced demand'), and concludes with recommended modern alternatives.
Tracking structural transitions reveals the author's primary concern.
2
Synthesize total scope
The passage evaluates traditional road expansion, explains why it fails, and proposes alternative solutions.
The correct main idea statement must cover both the limitation of the old method and the proposal of new methods.
3
Evaluate option scope and eliminate traps
The statement emphasizing the failure of expanding road capacity and the presentation of alternative approaches correctly captures the main intent.
Other options focus on narrow supporting details, exaggerate tone, or misstate the author's position.

Key Concept

Identifying Primary Purpose in Reading Comprehension
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Topics

Identifying Primary Purpose and Main Idea

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