LSAT 151 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q8

LR Question 8 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Normally, political candidates send out campaign material …

QUESTION TYPE: Identify the Conclusion

CONCLUSION: Ebsen’s ads were sent out to test their potential to influence popular opinion.

REASONING:

• Too few were sent out to influence popular opinion effectively
• They covered many topics
• They’ve spent a lot of money following up to see effects

ANALYSIS: Understanding the structure here is important. The first sentence is just fluff that presents the background context (usually send ads to influence opinion). Then it says these ads didn’t go to enough households to do that. That rules out the usual purpose.

The next sentence is the key one. “Evidently” is the conclusion indicator here. The point is that they were sent out to test their potential to influence opinion.

Everything that follows (wide variety of topics, lots of follow-up) are supporting facts that make the “testing” explanation more plausible.

___________

1. This is just background info setting the context.
2. That’s a premise used to rule out the usual purpose of ads. It’s not the conclusion.
3. CORRECT. This is exactly what the author is arguing. The ads were for testing.
4. This is a supporting detail that acts as evidence for testing. It’s part of the reasoning.
5. Same as above. It’s part of the reasoning and evidence for the conclusion about testing.