Develop Reasoning Effectively Throughout Argument Practice Test
•15 QuestionsRead the student essay below, then answer the question.
Student essay (Paragraphs 1–4)
1 Our city should adopt a year-round “car-free downtown” policy that closes several central streets to private vehicles. The plan would still allow buses, delivery vehicles during limited hours, and emergency services. A car-free downtown would make the city healthier, safer, and more economically stable by shifting daily life toward walking and public transit.
2 First, health improves when people move more. When streets are designed for cars, walking becomes something you do only in a park. But when streets are designed for people, walking becomes the default. If downtown is car-free, residents will walk between errands instead of circling for parking. That daily movement matters because it lowers stress and helps prevent chronic illness.
3 Safety is another reason. Cars create danger simply because they are heavy and fast. If there are fewer cars downtown, there are fewer collisions, and that means fewer injuries. Some people argue that drivers will just speed on nearby streets, but the city can add speed bumps and crosswalks. Fewer cars means fewer crashes, so the policy is safer.
4 Finally, a car-free downtown would help the local economy. When streets are pleasant, people linger, and when people linger, they shop. Tourists also prefer districts where they can take photos without traffic. In addition, fewer cars means less pollution, and less pollution means the city looks cleaner, which attracts more shoppers. For all these reasons, the city should close downtown streets to private vehicles.
Diagnosis: Which aspect most weakens the author’s line of reasoning?
Read the student essay below, then answer the question.
Student essay (Paragraphs 1–4)
1 Our city should adopt a year-round “car-free downtown” policy that closes several central streets to private vehicles. The plan would still allow buses, delivery vehicles during limited hours, and emergency services. A car-free downtown would make the city healthier, safer, and more economically stable by shifting daily life toward walking and public transit.
2 First, health improves when people move more. When streets are designed for cars, walking becomes something you do only in a park. But when streets are designed for people, walking becomes the default. If downtown is car-free, residents will walk between errands instead of circling for parking. That daily movement matters because it lowers stress and helps prevent chronic illness.
3 Safety is another reason. Cars create danger simply because they are heavy and fast. If there are fewer cars downtown, there are fewer collisions, and that means fewer injuries. Some people argue that drivers will just speed on nearby streets, but the city can add speed bumps and crosswalks. Fewer cars means fewer crashes, so the policy is safer.
4 Finally, a car-free downtown would help the local economy. When streets are pleasant, people linger, and when people linger, they shop. Tourists also prefer districts where they can take photos without traffic. In addition, fewer cars means less pollution, and less pollution means the city looks cleaner, which attracts more shoppers. For all these reasons, the city should close downtown streets to private vehicles.
Diagnosis: Which aspect most weakens the author’s line of reasoning?