LSAT 109 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q15

LR Question 15 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: In 1992, there were over 250 rescues of mountain…

QUESTION TYPE: Principle – Strengthen (Exception)

CONCLUSION: All mountain climbers should give the government money towards their rescue. (The government will only spend they money if the climbers need rescuing.)

REASONING: It’s expensive for the government to rescue mountain climbers, and many people die while climbing. There are more and more climbers (so costs are likely to increase).

ANALYSIS: Many people benefit from public services without paying. Why should we single out mountain climbers? This new law would prevent anyone from climbing a mountain unless they pay a large amount of money up front. The sport of mountain climbing would be massively affected, despite the fact that most mountain climbers never need rescuing.

The wrong answers patch over the many weaknesses in this argument.

___________

1. This shows that we shouldn’t rescue climbers unless they pay the costs.
2. The proposed bond will deter climbers from risking their lives. Would you climb a mountain if you have to pay $10,000 upfront to do so?
3. CORRECT. The stimulus doesn’t mention training. This is useless.
4. This helps. The proposal will force climbers to pay more if they need to be rescued.
5. Presumably the government currently treats injuries while rescuing people. It would be pointless to rescue you but then let you die from your injuries in the helicopter.
    
   So this answer choice shows that a bond is useful if it would provide money for the government to treat climbers injuries.

Recap: The question begins with “In 1992, there were over 250 rescues of mountain”. It is a Principle Justify question. Learn how to master LSAT Principle Justify questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.