LSAT 119 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Bookstore owner: Consumers should buy books only from an independent…

QUESTION TYPE: Principle

CONCLUSION: Consumers should buy from independent bookstores.

REASONING: Chain bookstores have less variety and will force independent bookstores out of business. Therefore buying from chain bookstores will reduce the variety of books available.

ANALYSIS: The correct answer will tell us what consumers should do.

___________

1. The conclusion is about consumers’ actions, not those of bookstores.
2. CORRECT. Yes. “If a bookstore will reduce variety, then don’t buy from it.” This supports the conclusion that we should only buy from independent stores, as they have more variety.
3. That may be, but what do consumers care about the best interests of the bookselling business?
4. “Deliberately” is what makes this answer choice incorrect. We’re not told that chain stores are deliberately trying to destroy the competition.
5. That kind of strategy is irrelevant to the stimulus, where consumers do have access to independent bookstores.

Recap: The question begins with “Bookstore owner: Consumers should buy books only from an independent”. It is a Principle question. Learn more about LSAT Principle questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.