LSAT 41, Logical Reasoning I, Q1, LSATHacks

LR Question 1 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Because the statement “all gray rabbits are rabbits” is true…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

ANALYSIS: This question is both very easy (we know a suspected criminal isn’t necessarily a criminal) and tricky (how do we describe the relationship in abstract logical terms).

All gray rabbits are rabbits. All suspected rabbits are not rabbits. The same is true of suspected criminals.

It is the relationship between “gray and rabbit” and between “suspected and criminal” that is different.

___________

1. This is true, but it’s not the root of the error.
2. Again, true, but not the heart of the error. The relationship between suspected and rabbit is not important. If the first premise had been “green badger,” the error would have been the same.
3. CORRECT. Yes. If you are a gray rabbit, you are automatically a rabbit (because of the word “rabbit”). Being a suspected criminal does not automatically make you a criminal. The relationship is different.
4. This is true, but it isn’t the error. The error is in assuming that suspected criminals are all criminals.
5. Even if they were all suspected, he would still be making an error. It still would not mean that everyone who was suspected was a criminal.

Recap: The question begins with “Because the statement “all gray rabbits are rabbits” is true”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn how to master LSAT Flaw questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

Hi, I'm Graeme Blake

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