Question: A year after the start an experiment to decrease crime in two high-crime subway stations by the installation of closed-circuit televisions, the experiment is being discontinued, city officials say the program has led to an increase in crime, citing the fact that following the installation, both stations showed increases in the number of crimes reported.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the claim of the city officials that the program has led to an increase in crime?
(A) The two subway stations had been chosen on the basis subway stations was higher than that of other high-crime subway stations not equipped with closed-circuit-television.
(B) The rate of increase in crimes reported for two subway stations was higher than that of other high-crime subway stations not equipped with closed-circuit television.
(C) The percentage of all crimes committed at the two subway stations that were reported rose as a result of increased instances of observations of crime on the closed-circuit televisions.
(D) The year in which the experiment was conducted was a year in which the total number of crimes reported in the city fell.
(E) Closed-circuit televisions installed in shops and stores throughout the city have proved to be useful in the prevention of shoplifting and burglaries.
“A year after the start of an experiment to decrease crime”- is a GMAT critical reasoning topic. This GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘GMAT Prep Plus.’ This GMAT critical comes with five options and candidates need to choose the one which is correct. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. Candidates get 65 minutes to answer 36 MCQ questions in the critical reasoning section of the GMAT.
Answer: C
Explanation: We have to support the conclusion that the program has not led to an increase in crime in those 2 areas. Option B states that the percentage of reported cases have increased, implying that only the reporting of cases has increased because they were caught on camera. Otherwise, these increased cases of crime would have gone unnoticed. Thus this option supports our conclusion.
Let’s see each options and examine individually
Option A
This option does not impact the conclusion that there was an increase in crime. The basis of choosing doesn't support our conclusion. Hence, we can drop this.
Option B
This option does resonate with the thinking of City Officials that there was an increase in crime. This option also doesn't support our conclusion. Strengthens the claim. This is incorrect.
Option C
Correct. This option shows that there was an increase in crime, but the reason being increased surveillance rather than the actual increase in the no.This option supports the conclusion.
Option D
This is irrelevant and does not support the conclusion. It is not mentioned to us, the year in which the experiment. However, since the installation of closed-circuit televisions, the number of crimes have rather increased in the area. Hence, drop it.
Option E
This option is incorrect. It also doesn't support our conclusion. The experiment was a failure and crimes rather increased. It is irrelevant. Hence, incorrect.
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