LSAT 134 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q14

LR Question 14 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Superconductor development will enable energy to be…

QUESTION TYPE: Role in Argument

CONCLUSION: Superconductors will increase industrial productivity.

REASONING: Superconductors will let us transport energy more efficiently. Oil and natural gas did the same thing (compared to coal) and productivity increased.

ANALYSIS: Learn which words introduce premises. The word “for” (second sentence) usually introduces a premise that supports the claim that the argument just made.

e.g. “Dogs make good pets (Conclusion), for they are friendly (premise).

Synonyms for “for” that serve the same role are: since, because, as, etc. They usually mean that the thing said earlier was the conclusion.

___________

1. CORRECT. The word “for” means that what came earlier was the conclusion.
2. Superconductor development allows more efficient transport. This is a premise supporting the conclusion that superconductor development will increase productivity. It doesn’t illustrate the claim; we’re not told how or why energy efficient transport increases productivity.
3. Not so. Superconductor development will definitely make transport more efficient, whether or not it improves productivity. First sentences are sometimes conclusions, but only if a word such as “for”, “because”, “since” etc. indicates they’re not definitely true and we need to support them with reasons.
4. Those fossil fuels are mentioned as an example. The transition already happened, in the past. Oil replaced coal a long time ago.
5. The statement about shipping costs needs no support. It’s given in a dependent clause, surrounded by commas. When writers do this, they’re giving us a definition or clarification. i.e. “Winter, the coldest season of the year, came earlier in 1972.”