Statement–Argument — Should road repair work in big cities be carried out only late at night? Arguments: I) No; if done only at night, the work pace may suffer and projects may not complete efficiently. II) No; it would entail additional electricity use for lighting and safety. III) Yes; daytime repair causes major disruption to commuters and public transport. Choose the strong argument(s).

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only III is strong

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Urban road maintenance has to minimize public disruption while ensuring safety and productivity. The question asks whether restricting works to nights is advisable and which arguments are strong for policy evaluation.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Daytime works slow traffic, increase travel time, and raise logistics costs.
  • Night works require illumination, safety cordons, and sometimes noise control.
  • Some tasks (e.g., curing, inspections) may span multiple shifts.


Concept / Approach:
A strong argument should be specific and policy-relevant. “Commuter disruption” is a core public-interest criterion. Claims that projects “will never get completed” or that “electricity use” alone rules out night work are exaggerated or minor trade-offs relative to congestion costs.


Step-by-Step Solution:

I: Overstated (“never get completed”). Productivity can be managed with proper shift planning. Weak.II: Incremental electricity usage is a secondary cost and cannot, by itself, outweigh public disruption benefits. Weak.III: Directly addresses minimizing daytime congestion and safety risks for the public. Strong.


Verification / Alternative check:
Many cities schedule disruptive works off-peak or at night to reduce congestion externalities, confirming III.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options favoring I or II elevate weak or minor concerns over a primary public-interest factor.


Common Pitfalls:
Ignoring that traffic management aims to reduce peak-hour disruption, even if it adds modest lighting costs.


Final Answer:
Only III is strong.

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