LSAT 128 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q14

LR Question 14 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A promise is defined as any agreement that yields an …

QUESTION TYPE: Principle – Application

PRINCIPLE: A promise creates an obligation, but it’s acceptable to break it if:

1. The person who you made the promise to releases you from the obligation
2. You’re unable to fulfill the promise due to circumstances outside of your control

ANALYSIS: The correct answer must show a failed promise where one of the two justifications above applies.

Wrong answers may show a broken promise that isn’t excusable (neither of the two justifications happened), or incorrectly state that a promise MUST still be fulfilled despite meeting an exception.

___________

1. The principle addresses when breaking a promise (obligation) is acceptable, but this describes a situation where fulfilling a promise is supposedly unacceptable. The principle doesn’t tell us anything about that.
2. CORRECT. Felicia promised to tutor Alan, but he was injured and unable to attend. Since this was beyond Felicia’s control, her failure to tutor him (breaking her obligation) is acceptable under the principle.
3. Mika originally agreed to help on Sunday, but Owen asked for help on Saturday instead. The principle doesn’t say that the promisor must accept modifications to a promise.
4. Quinn couldn’t water the plants because Laura forgot to give him the key, which is beyond his control. The answer incorrectly states that he was still obligated, which contradicts the principle.
5. Ian missed picking up Ali because he voluntarily stopped at the library first, meaning it was within his control. According to the principle, he would still be obligated to pick up Ali.