LSAT 8 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q12

LR Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Light utility truckers have become popular among consumers…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: A car accident involving a light utility truck is more likely to injure the driver than an accident involving a car subject to government safety standards.

REASONING: Light utility trucks are not subject to the government’s safety standards. These govern minimum roof strength and resistance to impact.

ANALYSIS: This sounds like a good argument, but there may be other factors that make light utility vehicles safer. Perhaps they are larger?

Or maybe the government safety standards don’t do very much to keep cars safe. Or it could be that manufacturers of light utility vehicles make sure their vehicles are tough (even though they aren’t required to,) because consumers view it as a selling point.

___________

1. Safety standards during construction would protect workers. We’re concerned with whether drivers will be injured.
2. The argument is still ok even if people who buy cars for appearance only drive equally recklessly. The whole point is that light utility vehicles will be more vulnerable in a crash.
3. Same as B: the main point is that the trucks should be more vulnerable even if the rate of crashes is the same.
4. This strengthens the idea that the trucks are deceptive but it doesn’t show that they are dangerous in a crash.
5. CORRECT. Yes. It’s possible for a car to meet the safety standard even if it isn’t required to. If the trucks do meet the standard then this argument is worthless.

Recap: The question begins with “Light utility truckers have become popular among consumers”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn more about LSAT Necessary questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.