LSAT 21 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q23

LR Question 23 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Electrical engineers have repeatedly demonstrated that…

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Music lovers are hallucinating when they claim that vacuum tube amps sound better than solid state amps.

REASONING: Engineers say that the best examples of both technologies are exactly the same regarding all of the characteristics commonly measured.

ANALYSIS: The engineers aren’t measuring every characteristic of both types of amps. They’re just measuring certain common characteristics. So there could be some features that affect sound quality but that aren’t being measured.

___________

1. We’re talking about the opinions of music-lovers, who presumably do have some expertise.
2. The argument is only comparing the best vacuum tubes and solid state amps.
3. CORRECT. Engineers only claimed the two amps were equal for characteristics that could be measured. This answer choice leaves open the possibility that vacuum tubes are better for some traits that can’t be measured.
4. This tells us about how the machines operate. It says nothing about how they sound.
5. So? The engineers were comparing the best amplifiers. This answer choice could be comparing the best vacuum tube amp to the worst solid state amp.

Recap: The question begins with “Electrical engineers have repeatedly demonstrated that”. It is a Weaken question. Learn how to master LSAT Weaken questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.