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Information and IdeasEasy–MediumInference from an unexpected benefit

Information and Ideas practice question

The library installed self-service machines that were expected to shorten the queues at the counter. The queues are as long as ever, but the staff, no longer tied to the counter, now run three more reading groups a week. This suggests that the machines' main benefit ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. has been to free staff time rather than to shorten waiting times.Correct
  2. B. has been to shorten the queues, as expected.
  3. C. has been to attract more visitors to the library.
  4. D. has been to make the reading groups shorter.

Answer: A. has been to free staff time rather than to shorten waiting times.

Queues unchanged, staff freed for other work: the benefit landed on staff time.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. has been to shorten the queues, as expected.
The text says the queues are as long as ever.
C. has been to attract more visitors to the library.
Visitor numbers aren't mentioned.
D. has been to make the reading groups shorter.
The groups are more numerous, not shorter.

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