Read the following statement about disruption of transport services and the suggested courses of action, and then decide which course of action logically follows, assuming the statement is fully true. Statement: The air and rail services have been severely disrupted due to thick fog in the northern part of the country. Courses of action: a. The rail and air services should be temporarily suspended in the affected region. b. People should be advised to make their travel plans keeping in mind the probable disruption that may result in delay or cancellation of services. c. The government should immediately install modern machines that can guide rail and air services even when thick fog develops.

Introduction / Context:
This course of action question describes severe disruption of air and rail services due to thick fog in the northern part of the country. You must evaluate which proposed actions are logical, practical, and directly supported by the statement. The problem tests your ability to distinguish between reasonable short term responses and extreme or unrealistic measures.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Thick fog has developed in the northern region.
• Air and rail services have been severely disrupted, leading to delays and cancellations.
• Passengers may be affected by this situation.
• The government and transport authorities can issue advisories and consider technical upgrades.

Concept / Approach:
In such cases:

• Short term, practical measures include informing the public and adjusting schedules.
• Complete suspension of services may be too extreme if some level of safe operation is still possible.
• Immediate installation of advanced machines is usually not realistic because such projects require time, planning, and resources.

We examine each proposed course using these considerations.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate course of action a. Temporarily suspending all rail and air services in the region is a very drastic step. The statement mentions severe disruption, but not that operations are impossible everywhere. With careful scheduling and speed control, some services may still operate safely. Therefore, a blanket suspension appears excessive and is not clearly compelled by the statement. Step 2: Evaluate course of action b. Advising people to plan their travel with the probable disruption in mind is a reasonable and practical step. It helps passengers set realistic expectations, adjust their schedules, and avoid unnecessary inconvenience. This is a direct and low cost response supported by the situation. Step 3: Evaluate course of action c. Installing modern guiding machines for rail and air services may be useful in the long term, but the statement talks about an immediate fog situation. Such technological upgrades cannot be implemented instantly; they require detailed planning, procurement, and installation. Hence, saying that the government should immediately install these machines is not realistic as a direct logical response. Step 4: Decide which course follows. Only b is a clearly practical and directly supported action that can be taken in the short term based on the given information.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine what authorities usually do during fog seasons. They issue travel advisories, inform passengers about delays, and adjust operations rather than completely suspending services unless conditions are extremely dangerous everywhere. They may plan technological improvements, but these are long term projects. Thus, advising people about possible disruption aligns best with real world practice and with the statement, confirming that only b follows.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Only a follows: Incorrect because full suspension is too extreme and not clearly required by the statement.
• a and b follow: Incorrect because it wrongly includes a, which is not justified.
• a, b and c follow: Incorrect because it includes both an extreme short term step and an unrealistic immediate technological solution.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates feel that if a situation is severe, the strongest action must be right. However, logical reasoning requires proportional and feasible responses. Another pitfall is to accept any technically advanced option without considering feasibility and time frame. The word immediately in c is particularly important; it makes the suggestion unrealistic as an immediate course of action.

Final Answer:
Only b follows.