LSAT 103 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q17

LR Question 17 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Parents who wish to provide a strong foundation for…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: If you want to encourage your child’s musical ability, give them formal instruction.

REASONING: To encourage your child’s musical ability, give them a good musical education. A good musical education often involves formal instruction.

ANALYSIS: Often? Often doesn’t mean always. You might be able to give your kid a good musical foundation by giving them a good musical education but no formal instruction.

___________

1. So? This argument tells parents what they should do. Obviously there will be other factors, but parents do have influence on their child’s musical success.
2. The argument is only for “parents who wish” to give their kids a strong foundation. If your kids don’t want to learn music, you don’t have to teach them.
3. The argument doesn’t say that formal instruction guarantees musical success. We’re only told it’s necessary, if you want to provide a strong foundation. Failure is always possible, even with a strong foundation.
4. CORRECT. Often doesn’t mean always. The argument gives no evidence that formal instruction is always part of musical education.
5. The argument didn’t say you couldn’t succeed without musical education. It’s the best way for parents to provide a strong foundation, but you can succeed without a strong foundation.

Recap: The question begins with “Parents who wish to provide a strong foundation for”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn how to master LSAT Flaw questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.