SAT OwlQuestion bank / Cross-Text Connections
Text 1: Some city planners argue that adding more lanes to crowded highways is the best way to reduce traffic congestion. More lanes, they say, let more cars travel at once, so trips become faster for everyone.
Text 2: Transportation researchers have documented a pattern called induced demand. When a highway is widened, driving becomes more convenient, so more people choose to drive. Within a few years, traffic on many widened highways returns to its earlier level of congestion.
Based on the texts, how would the transportation researchers in Text 2 most likely respond to the planners' argument in Text 1?
They would agree that adding lanes permanently reduces congestion.
They would argue that highways should have fewer lanes than they currently do.
They would point out that added lanes may attract more drivers, limiting any lasting reduction in congestion.
They would claim that most people prefer public transportation to driving.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
Text 2 explains that widening a highway draws more drivers, so congestion returns within a few years. The researchers would therefore say that extra lanes do not produce a lasting improvement, which is choice C.
Choice B goes further than Text 2, which questions the benefit of adding lanes but never recommends removing them.
Got it wrong? On SAT Owl, Owl looks at the answer you chose and explains the exact mistake, then gives you similar questions until it sticks. Get your predicted SAT score free.