Despite the protests of local retailers, the city council ought to proceed with its plan to implement a congestion charge for vehicles entering the downtown district. The retailers worry that such a fee will discourage shoppers and drive business to suburban malls. But this anxiety is not supported by recent evidence. In fact, economic data from comparable cities demonstrates that the reduction in vehicular traffic resulting from congestion charges makes downtown areas more pedestrian-friendly, which ultimately leads to a sustained increase in retail revenue.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?
- The city council should go forward with the implementation of a congestion charge for the downtown district.Answer
- BThe retailers' fear that a congestion charge will drive shoppers to suburban malls is contradicted by recent evidence.
- CThe implementation of a congestion charge makes a downtown area more pedestrian-friendly by reducing vehicular traffic.
- DLocal retailers are protesting the city council's plan to charge a fee for vehicles entering the downtown district.
- EThe city council's primary motivation for implementing the congestion charge is to boost downtown retail revenue.
Answer
The city council should go forward with the implementation of a congestion charge for the downtown district.
The first sentence of the stimulus contains the normative claim ('ought to proceed') that represents the author's primary stance. The rest of the passage is dedicated to dismantling a counterargument against this stance and providing evidence that the plan will actually be beneficial. Therefore, the recommendation to proceed is the main conclusion.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying the ultimate claim that the entire argument is designed to prove, separating it from premises, background information, and intermediate conclusions.