LR Question 13 Explanation
QUESTION TEXT: James: Many people claim that the voting public is unable to…
QUESTION TYPE: Strengthen
CONCLUSION: James concludes that the voting public is able to evaluate complex issues.
Maria claims that Reade’s popularity is not due to his complex policy discussions.
REASONING: James thinks that Reade’s complex policy discussions and popularity show that voters understand complex issues.
Maria thinks Reade is popular because he seems trustworthy, not because of his policies.
ANALYSIS: Maria seems to be pointing out that what James notices in Reade (complexity + popularity) is just coincidence. To support her, it would help to show some actual evidence that trustworthiness is the real reason for Reade’s popularity, and not his complex policy discussions.
___________
- This would strengthen the idea that voters understand the issues, which would weaken Maria’s argument.
- We’re trying to argue that Reade’s popularity is not due to his discussion of complex campaign issues (no matter how simplified the discussion is).
- Ok…but why is his campaign popular in the first place? Because he discusses complex campaign issues, or because he is trustworthy?
- CORRECT. Yup. Voters have no idea what he’s blathering about. But gosh, he sure seems to care about them.
- It only says “some,” which could be as few as two people.
Recap: The question begins with “James: Many people claim that the voting public is unable to”. It is a Strengthen question. Learn how to master LSAT Strengthen questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.
More Resources for Strengthen Questions
- Intro Course lesson: This intro course lesson covers Strengthen questions.
- Mastery Seminar lesson: This LR Mastery seminar lesson covers strengthen questions.
Hi! I chose A because I thought, since they all discuss the same complex topics, it cannot be that Reade is popular because of his topics (since everyone discusses the same ones anyway).
Good question! So there are two problems with A:
1. A says “some” of the topics. Maybe Reade is discussing 12 complex topics and his opponents are only discussing one
2. We’re supposed to support Maria’s reasoning, which is that Reade is popular for being competent and trustworthy, rather than for his discussions of complexity. A doesn’t do much to eliminate the idea that voters like Reade for how he discusses complex issues.
Hope that helps!