LSAT 159 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Jack’s dog howls whenever a train goes by …

QUESTION TYPE: Parallel Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Jack’s dog sometimes howls while he’s washing it.

REASONING: The dog howls whenever a train goes by. Sometimes, a train goes by while Jack is washing the dog.

ANALYSIS: This structure is pretty straightforward.

1. Whenever A happens, B happens.
2. Sometimes, A happens at the same time as C.
3. Therefore, sometimes B happens at the same time as C.

Look for this structure in the answer choices.

___________

1. This has a different structure: Every A can benefit from B. Some B prefer C. So some A prefer C.
2. This one uses most instead of whenever or any, so it’s not universal.
3. CORRECT. This matches the structure. Whenever A (serious jogger) -> B (can benefit). Sometimes A (serious jogger) -> C (prefers sneakers). So sometimes B (can benefit) -> C (prefers sneakers).
4. This only says “some” in both premises, so it doesn’t have the “whenever” (universal) conditional structure that the stimulus does.
5. The conclusion is too strong here. It turns “sometimes” into “anyone”.