LSAT 105 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q15

LR Question 15 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The budget surplus should be used only to increase …

QUESTION TYPE: Point At Issue

ARGUMENTS: Jessica thinks the surplus should only be used to give more support to the unemployed.

Marcie argues that a better use would be for projects that create jobs.

ANALYSIS: Both of them agree that the budget surplus should help the unemployed, but they disagree on how.

Jessica believes direct payments are the best and only use of the surplus. Marcie believes a public works project to create jobs is a better alternative.

___________

1. Jessica definitely agrees with this. Marcie could also agree. She doesn’t technically disagree that direct payments can be a good use, she just argues job creation is a better use.
2. Marcie most likely agrees with this. Jessica’s view is unclear. She might also think jobs are important but still believes direct payments are the only use of the surplus. There’s no clear disagreement here.
3. This goes too far as it implies both of them will always disagree on whether any given funding should go to payments for the unemployed versus creating jobs. We only know that they disagree in this one specific case.
4. Marcie definitely agrees. Jessica might agree too, but still thinks payments are the only viable option here.
5. CORRECT. Marcie explicitly agrees that a better use of the surplus exists (public works). Jessica believes no better use exists – the only good use is increasing payments.