LSAT 25, Logical Reasoning I, Q8, LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Toddlers are not being malicious when they bite people…

QUESTION TYPE: Principle

CONCLUSION: If a toddler bites you, it’s not because they are mean.

REASONING: It might be because the kid thinks you are being mean and trying to keep a toy from him, for example.

ANALYSIS: The situation is fairly straightforward. It’s interpreting the principle that’s more complex.

Some people might say the toddler is still mean to bite you, even if they have a reason. We need to find a principle that says the toddler isn’t being mean if he has a reason.

___________

1. CORRECT. I don’t like this answer. You might be malicious even if you’re trying to solve a problem. But technically, it’s the best answer. Toddler’s aren’t trying to be mean when they bite you. Instead, their main goal is to solve their problem.
2. This partly contradicts the stimulus. The toddlers aren’t trying to get attention: they want toys.
3. This goes too far. We don’t know if toddlers understand there is such a thing as “acceptable behavior.”
4. No one said toddlers are harming their own interests. Maybe they do get toys when they bite people.
5. The opposite of D. We’re never told toddlers get what they want when they bite people. Maybe they get put to bed instead, for crankiness.

Recap: The question begins with “Toddlers are not being malicious when they bite people”. It is a Principle question. Learn more about LSAT Principle questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.

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