Question 136·Easy·Inferences
Last year, the city of Lakewood launched a free summer bus route linking several residential neighborhoods with popular destinations such as the public library, the riverfront park, and the weekly farmers market. Before the route opened, resident Helena Gómez rarely visited these places because she did not own a car and the nearest regular bus stop was a mile away. Now, she and her two children ride the new bus three or four times a week, spending their mornings at the library and their afternoons at the park. In this way, Helena ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
For "logical completion" questions, first identify the main point or effect described right before the blank, especially when you see signal phrases like "In this way" or "As a result." Ask what the example (here, Helena) is supposed to illustrate about the situation. Then quickly test each answer choice by asking, “Is this directly supported and clearly shown by the passage, without adding new information or opinions?” Eliminate choices that introduce new topics, go beyond the text (like traffic patterns or future plans), or shift from describing what happens to making recommendations that no one in the passage actually makes. The remaining option should neatly summarize or extend the idea already developed in the paragraph.
Hints
Connect the beginning and end of the paragraph
Compare Helena’s situation before the new bus route (how often she went to places like the library and park) to her situation after it opened. What main change does the paragraph show?
Focus on the phrase “In this way”
The blank completes the sentence that begins with "In this way." That phrase usually introduces a summary or conclusion about what the example (Helena) illustrates. What overall point does her story support?
Check for direct support from the passage
For each answer choice, ask: Is this idea clearly shown by the information given about Helena? Be careful to rule out options that add new information or opinions that the passage never mentions.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand Helena’s situation before the new bus route
First, focus on the description of Helena before the new route: she "rarely visited" the library, park, and farmers market because she did not own a car and the nearest regular bus stop was a mile away. This tells you transportation was a barrier that kept her from going to these places.
Understand what changed after the route opened
Next, read what happens after the free summer bus route starts: now Helena and her children ride the new bus three or four times a week and spend time at the library and park. The contrast shows that the new bus route removed the transportation barrier and allowed her to visit these places much more often.
Interpret the phrase “In this way, Helena ______”
The phrase "In this way" signals that the blank should summarize what Helena’s story shows about the effect of the bus route. It should not introduce a brand-new idea; it should capture the main result of the change described: her increased ability to go to those local places because of the new bus.
Test each answer choice against the passage and choose the best match
Check each option: there is no evidence about overall traffic in Lakewood (eliminates A), nothing about Helena being able to buy a car (eliminates C), and no mention of extending the route into winter (eliminates D). The only choice that accurately summarizes the described effect—that the route allows residents like Helena to reach local places such as the library and park more easily—is “demonstrates how the new bus route increases residents’ access to community amenities.”