LSAT 2, Logical Reasoning I, Q5, LSATHacks

LR Question 5 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: A gas tax of one percent per gallon would raise one billion…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

ANALYSIS: The author lists two advantages. 1. Additional tax revenues if consumption rates stay the same and 2. Ecological benefits if the tax causes consumption to drop.

The author is planning for gas consumption to stay the same and to fall. That doesn’t work: it’s one or the other.

___________

1. All of the data is highly relevant. It’s important to know how much revenue the tax might raise.
2. We have no evidence that his figures are inaccurate. His error is assuming current consumption will be maintained.
3. CORRECT. Yes. Gas consumption cannot fall and stay the same.
4. The author did not make this error. An example of this would be if he thought reduced consumption caused higher prices.
5. All of his reasons are rational rather than emotional. He did not say anything such as: “This is the right thing to do.”

Recap: The question begins with “A gas tax of one percent per gallon would raise one billion”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn how to master LSAT Flaw questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

Hi, I'm Graeme Blake

Founder of LSAThacks; I scored a 177 on the LSAT.

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