The Difficulty with the Proposed High-Speed Train Line is that a Used Plane

Question:
The difficulty with the proposed high-speed train line is that a used plane can be bought for one-third the price of the train line, and the plane, which is just as fast, can fly anywhere. The train would be a fixed linear system, and we live in a world that is spreading out in all directions and in which consumers choose the free-wheel systems (cars, buses, aircraft), which do not have fixed routes. Thus a sufficient market for the train will not exist.

Which of the following, if true, most severely weakens the argument presented above?

(A) Cars, buses, and planes require the efforts of drivers and pilots to guide them, whereas the train will be guided mechanically.
(B) Cars and buses are not nearly as fast as the high-speed train will be.
(C) Planes are not a free-wheel system because they can fly only between airports, which are less convenient for consumers than the high-speed train's stations would be.
(D) The high-speed train line cannot use currently underutilized train stations in large cities.
(E) For long trips, most people prefer to fly rather than to take ground-level transportation.

“The difficulty with the proposed high-speed train line is that a used plane” – is a GMAT critical reasoning topic. This GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘ Manhattan prep GMAT Critical Reasoning 6th Edition’. In this particular topic, candidates are asked to select the option that makes the same error as the author. In this question, the candidates need to provide an option that supports the error provided in the passage. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. Critical reasoning in GMAT requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: C
Explanation:

This is Weaken the argument type GMAT critical reasoning question. Here we need to either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or logical flaws in the argument.

Let us check the given assumption to see the one option that most weakens the argument above:

Option A: Incorrect.

Here statement (A) states that trains can be considered safer trains are safer as they are operated mechanically. To weaken the author's argument that a sufficient number of trains does not exist. But the author does not state about the driver or pilot’s safety in comparison to the machine operated trains. Option (A) does not explain about high speed or free wheel route systems. Hence option (A) does not affect the author’s argument. Hence option (A) can be eliminated.

Option B: Incorrect.

Here statement (B) stated examples of free-wheel systems. The author's argument concentrates on planes vs. high-speed trains. It also states why to build a train when planes are more inexpensive, faster, and more adaptable. Additionally, option (B) does not address the free-wheel vs. fixed route argument. Also, trains are considered much faster, so customers might prefer free-wheel systems. This will help them to travel anywhere and not just along fixed routes. Hence option (B) can be eliminated.

Option C: Correct.

In statement (C) it states that the consumers selected the free-wheel system. This free-wheel system does not have any fixed routes, so this makes traveling flexible. But in the case of

Planes, they are free to fly anywhere. Thereby planes represent a free-wheel system. Though the aircrafts are free-wheel they are still restricted. As they have fixed airports to land. If this fact is considered then the planes do not fit into free-wheel routes. As the author’s argument stated, planes are inexpensive, faster, and more adaptable making them free-wheel. Option (C) directly weakens the author’s argument. Hence option (C) is the correct answer.

Option D: Incorrect.

Option (D) states that new stations would have to be built. This way it can be used by the new high-speed trains. This statement is contrary to building high-speed trains. This statement rather strengthens the author's argument. Hence, option (D) does not impact the author's reasoning. Hence this choice can be eliminated.

Option E: Incorrect.

As seen in option (D), supports for the train line should not be built. Option (E) states nothing about the author's argument. It is established in the high-speed train market. Hence this choice can be eliminated.

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