LSAT 112 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q25

LR Question 25 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A 1991 calculation was made to determine what, if any…

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: People’s decision not to exercise costs society a lot of money.

REASONING: Sedentary people cost society $1650 on average.

ANALYSIS: We need to find a reason why reducing sedentary-ness won’t reduce costs, or why we can’t reduce sedentary-ness.

The correct answer shows that sedentary-ness is often not a choice. Further, the poor health that causes sedentary-ness could also be the cause of the increased costs associated with being sedentary.

___________

1. This doesn’t tell us whether those people are classified as sedentary or not. And it doesn’t weaken the argument that being sedentary costs us money.
2. This might explain why some people are sedentary. It doesn’t weaken the argument that they cost us money.
3. CORRECT. This shows that bad health (which costs a lot) causes sedentary-ness. So being sedentary is often an effect, not a cause.
4. Of course. But this doesn’t weaken the idea that we cost the system more by choosing to exercise less.
5. This shows that exercise can make us feel good. But it doesn’t weaken the idea that laziness costs society money.