LSAT 3 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q20

LR Question 20 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Politician: Homelessness is a serious social problem…

QUESTION TYPE: Role in Argument

CONCLUSION: The claim that people are homeless because of a lack of available housing is wrong. (therefore it is unnecessary to build low-income housing)

REASONING: There are many buildings for rent.

ANALYSIS: This is not a good argument. There may be houses, the homeless generally can’t afford them. That is the rationale for low-income housing.

The statement that “homelessness is a serious social problem” is something that both the politician and his opponents agree on. They differ in what they think causes the problem.

___________

1. It is not an alternative perspective: the politician agrees with his own statement.
2. The politician does not attempt to solve homelessness. Instead, he dismisses a proposed cause for homelessness.
3. CORRECT. This is true. Both the politician and his opponents agree about this statement. I’m not sure this answer choice accurately captures how the statement figures in the argument, but this is the best answer.
4. The argument discredits the idea that homelessness is caused by a lack of available housing. It does not discredit the idea that homelessness is a problem.
5. The politician could just as easily argued that homelessness is not caused by a lack of housing and further that homelessness is not a serious problem. The statement is compatible with the conclusion but it isn’t required.

Recap: The question begins with “Politician: Homelessness is a serious social problem”. It is a Role in Argument question. Learn more about LSAT Role questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.