Question 142·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1 Many urban planners argue that building additional highway lanes is the most reliable way to reduce traffic congestion. By increasing the physical space available for vehicles, they claim, the frequency and duration of traffic jams will decline.
Text 2 Transportation analyst Jaime Ortiz cites studies of several metropolitan areas where newly constructed highways became congested within months. Ortiz explains that when driving feels easier, more people choose to make trips they previously avoided, a pattern he refers to as "induced demand."
Based on the texts, how would Ortiz (Text 2) most likely respond to the planners’ claim in Text 1?
For cross-text questions, first restate each text’s main point in one short sentence, focusing on what each author claims or shows. Then think: If the second author were directly answering the first, would they agree, disagree, or qualify the claim? Look for the answer choice that reflects that relationship using ideas actually in the texts, and quickly eliminate any choices that bring in new topics (like taxes, costs, or public transit) that neither author mentioned. This keeps you focused on supported paraphrases rather than tempting but unsupported interpretations.
Hints
Identify each author’s main claim
First, summarize in your own words what the planners in Text 1 believe about adding highway lanes, and what Ortiz in Text 2 has observed about newly built highways.
Focus on the effect of new highways in Text 2
Pay close attention to what happens to traffic after new highways are built in Ortiz’s examples and how people’s driving behavior changes.
Check for new ideas not in the texts
When you look at the answer choices, ask: Does this introduce something (like fuel taxes, public transit, or cost) that neither text mentioned? If so, be cautious about picking it.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the planners in Text 1 claim
In Text 1, urban planners say that building additional highway lanes is “the most reliable way to reduce traffic congestion.” Their reasoning is that more space for cars will make traffic jams less frequent and shorter.
So Text 1 = More lanes → less congestion (reliably).
Understand Ortiz’s evidence and explanation in Text 2
In Text 2, Ortiz points to studies of cities where new highways became congested within months. He also explains that when driving feels easier, more people choose to make trips they used to avoid. He calls this pattern “induced demand.”
So Text 2 = Making driving easier → more people drive → congestion comes back.
Connect Ortiz’s view to the planners’ claim
The planners think that more lanes will reliably reduce congestion. Ortiz has evidence that even after adding highways, congestion returns because more people start driving. That means Ortiz would disagree with the planners’ idea that adding lanes is a dependable fix.
Your task is to find the answer choice that shows Ortiz challenging the planners by using his idea of induced demand (more driving when roads are expanded or improved).
Match that idea to the correct answer choice
Look for the option that says adding lanes may not reduce congestion in the long run because it leads to more driving.
Choice D says: “By asserting that expanding highways can ultimately leave congestion unchanged because it encourages additional driving.” This exactly matches Ortiz’s point: induced demand means easier driving leads to more trips, so congestion returns.
Therefore, the correct answer is D) By asserting that expanding highways can ultimately leave congestion unchanged because it encourages additional driving.