LSAT 79, Logic Game 2, Question 8, LSATHacks

This question places exactly one ranger in group 1. From the setup scenarios, we know that M, P and O can’t go in group one. That leaves only J, K and L. 

And, L on its own can’t go in group 1, since L needs to be with either M or K. So, that leaves just J or K. We can turn this into two scenarios. In the setup, we already had two scenarios, based on rule 3: either ML are together, or KL are. 

So, in the ML scenario, K could be alone in group 1. In the KL scenario, J could be alone in group 1:

(I haven’t drawn KL yet, but it would only be possible in the right hand scenario. Though it’s not the only possibility, we could also have ML in the second scenario. Best not to be too rigid about scenarios when it comes to questions.)

In both scenarios, O can’t go second, thanks to rule 4. If O were second, then JK would have to go together. So, we must place O third.

Whenever you make a deduction like this, you should stop and see if you’ve already answered the question. In this case, we have: D is CORRECT.
O is in group three in both scenarios.

If you’re wondering how we could continue the scenarios….there are a max of three in each group. So in the first scenario, since the third group is full, JP must go second. 

In the second scenario, scenario, we need two in group 2. They could be KL, or KP (LP is impossible, because L must go with M or K). 

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