LSAT 11 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q19

LR Question 19 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The format of network television news programs generally …

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Unlike reading newspapers, watching TV regularly increases the tendency to oversimplify public issues.

REASONING: TV news gives limited time so regular watchers get used to shallow discussion, while newspaper stories are structured to encourage following detailed reasoning.

ANALYSIS: The argument rests on the comparison that TV encourages oversimplification and newspapers encourage depth.

To weaken the argument, we have to challenge the assumption in some way. Maybe TV watchers are also newspaper readers or maybe the contrast between the two isn’t actually that big.

___________

1. CORRECT. This undermines the contrast the argument draws between the two groups. If TV watchers are also newspaper readers, then they’re still exposed to detailed discussion.
2. This supports the argument by reinforcing that TV discussion is short and shallow.
3. This also supports the idea that TV lacks depth.
4. No impact on the argument. Equal time doesn’t address depth. A minute of each slogan is still shallow.
5. This might also strengthen the argument. If TV watchers aren’t reading newspapers, they’re less likely to get the benefit of detailed discussion.