LSAT 133 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q12

LR Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Aerobics instructor: Compared to many forms of…

QUESTION TYPE: Most Strongly Supported

FACTS:

1. Kickboxing aerobics is highly risky, compared to many forms of exercise. (Kickboxing may be less risky than some other forms of exercise of course)
2. Overextending during kicks can cause injuries.
3. If beginners try to match the kicks of experienced practitioners then the beginners are very likely to injure themselves.

ANALYSIS: This question is a good example of statements that sound definite but are actually quite limited. Here’s a short list of stuff we don’t know:

• How dangerous aerobic kickboxing actually is? We only know how dangerous it is compared to sports.
• How many sports are more dangerous than aerobic kickboxing?
• How many ways you can injure yourself doing aerobic kickboxing.
• How many people try to imitate the kicks of skilled practitioners?

On the LSAT, don’t go beyond what the stimulus tells you. It’s often very specific and unfounded assumptions are dangerous. The only thing we can say is supported by this stimulus is that beginners should not imitate kicks if they are likely to overextend.

___________

1. Who knows? The sport is highly risky. Skilled practitioners may get hurt too.
2. CORRECT. We know it is very likely that beginners will injure themselves if they do this.
3. We only know that imitating kicks is one way to hurt yourself. But the sport is highly risky. There might be many other ways to get hurt.
4. We don’t know. We know kickboxing aerobics is riskier than “many” forms of exercise. But that could just mean it is riskier than walking, bicycling and jogging. It could be that other types of aerobics are also extremely risky.
5. It could be that most beginners are smart and don’t try to imitate kicks until they learn the ropes.