PrepTest 123 Section 3

Choose a question

Explanations for every question, find them by number or text.

1. Q1:
   Situation: Someone living in a cold climate buys a winter…Principle – Parallel
2. Q2:
   After replacing his old gas water heater with a new…Paradox – Exception

   Jimmy has a new, efficient heater, but his gas bills have increased.

3. Q3:
   Carolyn: The artist Marc Quinn has displayed, behind a glass…Point at Issue
4. Q4:
   Many corporations have begun decorating their halls with…Flawed Reasoning

   The company probably won’t *boost* motivation with the motivational posters.

5. Q5:
   Atrens: An early entomologist observed ants carrying…Sufficient Assumption

   The early entomologist was wrong to say that the ants were bringing food to their neighbors.

6. Q6:
   Jablonski, who owns a car dealership, has donated cars…Principle – Conform

   Jablonski was worried by car accident statistics.

7. Q7:
   Antonio: One can live a life of moderation by never…Point at Issue
8. Q8:
   Advertisement: Fabric-Soft leaves clothes soft and fluffy…Flawed Reasoning

   Fabric-Soft is the best fabric softener.

9. Q9:
   Naturalist: The recent claims that the Tasmanian tiger…Necessary Assumption

   The Tasmanian tiger doesn’t exist.

10. Q10:
    Advertisers have learned that people are more easily…Complete the Argument

    Advertisers are likely to link their products to things that people already like, using pictures. [Prephrased conclusion]

11. Q11:
    Feathers recently taken from seabirds stuffed and preserved…Necessary Assumption

    100 years ago, saltwater fish had higher mercury levels.

12. Q12:
    Novel X and Novel Y are both semiautobiographical novels…Identify the Conclusion

    It is more likely that similarity in the two novels is coincidental.

13. Q13:
    Therapist: Cognitive psychotherapy focuses on changing…Strengthen

    Cognitive psychotherapy is likely to be more effective at helping patients fix their problems. (Compared to other types of psychotherapy which focus on changing unconscious beliefs and desires.)

14. Q14:
    Commentator: In academic scholarship, sources are always…Principle – Conform

    Universities should use open source software.

15. Q15:
    A consumer magazine surveyed people who had sought…Weaken

    Psychological treatment which lasts 6+ months is more effective than short term treatment.

16. Q16:
    Philosopher: Nations are not literally persons; they have…Complete the Argument

    A nation’s survival requires that many of its citizens have false beliefs. [Prephrased conclusion]

17. Q17:
    When exercising the muscles in one's back, it is important…Necessary Assumption

    To keep a healthy back it is important to exercise both sides of your back equally.

18. Q18:
    Editorialist: In all cultures, it is almost universally…Flawed Reasoning

    Most people would probably agree it is sometimes morally right to hinder the police from doing their jobs.

19. Q19:
    Editor: Many candidates say that if elected they will reduce…Strengthen

    It is rare for government intrusion to decrease over time in a democracy.

20. Q20:
    We should accept the proposal to demolish the old train…Flawed Parallel Reasoning

    We should demolish the building.

21. Q21:
    Ethicist: On average, animals raised on grain must be fed…Weaken

    Meat eating will soon be morally unacceptable.

22. Q22:
    If the price it pays for coffee coffee beans continues…Must be True

    This is a two pronged chain of reasoning, so I’ve made a diagram for it:

    <p class="p3"><span class="s2"><img src="https://lsathacks.com/wp-content/uploads/june07_lsat_logical_reasoning2_diagram1.png" width="337" height="133 alt="Image"></span></p>

    PB = price of beans

    PC = price of coffee

    NC = non coffee

    CS = coffee sales

    PR = profits

23. Q23:
    Political candidates' speeches are loaded with promises…Flawed Reasoning

    Politicians won’t keep promises.

24. Q24:
    Sociologist: Romantics who claim that people are not…Principle – Justify

    Romantics are wrong to say that institutions made by people are the reason people become evil.

25. Q25:
    Some anthropologists argue that the human species could not…Flawed Reasoning

    The anthropologists are wrong to say that prehistoric human survival required the ability to cope with diverse environments.