LSAT 130 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q14

LR Question 14 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Theatre managers will not rent a film if they do not believe

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Film producers tend to make movies that theatre managers think will attract younger audiences.

REASONING: Theatre managers only rent films that are profitable. “Profits” includes food-and-beverage revenues as well.

ANALYSIS: The food and beverage reference is a trap. The argument isn’t saying those are the most important revenues. They’re just saying they’re included in revenues.

So, we have the following facts:

Theatre managers book films based on their beliefs about a film’s profitability.

Film producers try to sell theatre managers on films by showing they are attractive to younger audiences.

Clearly, the argument is assuming that theatre managers believe younger audiences are more likely to generate profits.

___________

1. Negating this has very little impact. Also note that “younger audiences” doesn’t mean “children and adolescents”. It could include people up to the age of, say, 25. But 18-25 year olds fall into the adult category.
   Negation: Adults consume exactly as much food as do children and adolescents.
2. This is crazy. And negating it also has very little impact.
   Negation: One movie that appealed to younger audiences also appealed to older audiences. The other movies had no overlapping appeal.
3. Why would this matter? Theatre managers care about overall profit. It doesn’t matter where it comes from.
   Negation: Slightly more profits come from the movies than from food and beverages.
4. CORRECT. If this isn’t true, why on earth would film producers aim to convince theatre managers that films will do well with younger audiences? Theatre managers use profit as their criterion for renting.
   Negation: Theatre managers don’t believe younger audiences are any more profitable than older audiences.
5. This statement strengthens the argument, but it certainly isn’t necessary.
   Note also that the stimulus isn’t about profits. It’s about what theatre managers believe will produce profits.
   Negation: Films aimed at older audiences generate profits 10% of the time. (Which is more than “almost never.”)