LSAT 123 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q9

LR Question 9 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Although video game sales have increased steadily over …

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Video games sales will soon decline.

REASONING: Historically, most games have been bought by those ages 13-16. In the near future there will be fewer 13-16 year olds.

ANALYSIS: We want to weaken the argument. There are only two ways to do it:

• People other than 13-16 year olds will increase their game purchases.
• An even larger portion of 13-16 year olds will buy games.

The first one is most likely. In this argument, the LSAT is trying to get you to overfocus on 13-16 years olds and make you forget that other people might buy games. In particular, today’s 13-16 year olds might continue buying games as they age.

___________

1. This strengthens the argument by showing that those who are 17+ aren’t likely to prevent declining sales.
2. If anything, this strengthens the argument by showing diminished interested in video games. Though strictly speaking the argument is about purchases, not rentals. So this answer is mainly irrelevant.
3. This strengthens the argument. Video games are entertainment. Competing options may reduce interest in video games.
4. The types of games available isn’t relevant. The argument is about total sales across types.
5. CORRECT. This shows that recent history has diverged from the historical trend. The recent trend is for those older than 16 to buy most of the games, so the decline in 13-16 year olds shouldn’t be a problem.