LSAT 155 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q4

LR Question 4 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Leona: Thompson’s article on the novel Emily’s Trials…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Leona concludes that Thompson’s article is intriguing but puzzling.

REASONING: Thompson at one point says that a character’s furrowed brow indicates inner turmoil and anxiety. Later, Thompson describes the character as the “self-identified agent” of an action. However, Thompson earlier said that a “self-identified agent” is incapable of anxiety and misgivings.

ANALYSIS: This is an interesting Flawed Reasoning question in that it’s partially a Method of Reasoning question. We have to figure out how Leona attacks Thompson’s points, and what she thinks the flaw is.

It seems like she is taking things Thompson said and pitting them against each other. He said that one character is a “self-identified agent” and that self-identified agents are incapable of anxiety, but he at another point says that same character is expressing inner turmoil and anxiety. Leona clearly believes that this is an inconsistency.

___________

1. Leona isn’t pointing out any circular reasoning here.
2. It’s true that we don’t get a definition of “self-identified agent”, but that’s not Leona’s problem with Thompson. He might have defined it, we just don’t hear about it.
3. It doesn’t seem like Leona is claiming it’s unfounded. She is pointing out that it’s inconsistent.
4. Leona hasn’t said anything about whether it’s likely for a character to be a self-identified agent.
5. CORRECT. Leona is pointing out contradictions in Thompson’s writing.

Recap: The question begins with “Leona: Thompson’s article on the novel Emily’s Trials”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Flaw questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.