Information and IdeasVery hardInference from conflicting signals
Information and Ideas practice question
A city's air quality sensors showed a clear improvement in the year after a low-emission zone was introduced. The following year, readings worsened again, even though traffic inside the zone had fallen further. Meteorologists note that the second year brought unusually still air, which traps pollution near the ground. The most reasonable interpretation is that ____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
- A. the zone probably continued to reduce pollution, but the still air in the second year masked its effect.Correct
- B. the low-emission zone caused the pollution to worsen.
- C. traffic has no effect on air quality.
- D. the sensors stopped working in the second year.
Answer: A. the zone probably continued to reduce pollution, but the still air in the second year masked its effect.
Less traffic yet worse readings, with still air trapping pollution: weather, not the zone, explains the reversal.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. the low-emission zone caused the pollution to worsen.
- Traffic fell further; the zone was doing its job.
- C. traffic has no effect on air quality.
- The first year's improvement shows traffic matters.
- D. the sensors stopped working in the second year.
- Nothing suggests a sensor failure; a weather explanation is given.
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