LSAT 8 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q1

LR Question 1 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The cafeteria at Acme Company can offer only four main dishes…

QUESTION TYPE: Flawed Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Mushroom casserole should become one of the four main dishes (if the cafeteria wants to please its customers.)

REASONING: The same four dishes had been offered for years prior to mushroom casserole’s appearance. When mushroom casserole appeared most people chose that dish during the two days it was offered.

ANALYSIS: It’s possible that mushroom casserole was amazing. But it seems more likely that people were excited to try something new. They had eaten the same four dishes for years! When they picked mushroom casserole they couldn’t even be sure if it was good or not. It was only there for two days.

___________

1. The conclusion specifically refers to pleasing the customers of the cafeteria. The argument doesn’t need to consider workers who don’t eat there.
2. The dishes might all have salt. This doesn’t affect anything. The dishes could still be completely different.
3. CORRECT. Yes. People might have picked any new dish. At least it would be something different than the same old dishes.
4. The conclusion is only about what should be offered as a main dish.
5. The conclusion is only about what should be served as a main dish for lunch.

Recap: The question begins with “The cafeteria at Acme Company can offer only four main dishes”. It is a Flawed Reasoning question. Learn how to master LSAT Flaw questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.