Read the passage below and determine which combination

Solution

Analysis: The core argument is that autonomous delivery drones will achieve widespread adoption and revolutionize logistics because they reduce costs and bypass traffic congestion. To weaken this claim, we must identify statements that introduce critical barriers to this widespread adoption. Statement 1 weakens the argument. The premise relies on the "widespread deployment" of the technology. If local municipal groups successfully lobby for strict legal bans and flight restrictions in residential areas (as stated in 1), it establishes an immediate regulatory and political barrier that directly prevents the technology from being widely adopted or deployed. Statement 2 strengthens the argument. By demonstrating a massive improvement in delivery efficiency (cutting timelines by 40% and bypassing gridlock), this option highlights a clear benefit for retailers. This supports the core thesis that the technology is highly advantageous, thus strengthening the argument rather than weakening it. Statement 3 weakens the argument. This statement points out severe mechanical and software limitations. If the drones cannot handle basic real-world urban variables like crosswinds, utility lines, or birds, they remain unsafe or unreliable for daily deployment. This technical deficiency acts as a massive roadblock to successful, widespread market adoption. Therefore, because Statements 1 and 3 present structural, political, and technical obstacles that directly hinder the projected widespread adoption, C is the correct answer choice.