LSAT 8 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q16

LR Question 16 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Consumer advocate: Under the current absence of…

QUESTION TYPE: Principle

ARGUMENTS: The consumer advocate claims that manufacturers are deceiving consumers. They give as an example the use of the word fresh: it is misleading if it is used to describe a product made from water, concentrate and flavor enhancers.

The manufacturer counters that fresh could also mean never frozen. Manufacturers cannot be faulted for failing to comply with standards since there are no standards.

ANALYSIS: We’re trying to support the argument that it is fine to use a word in a technically accurate sense even if that sense goes against the common understanding of the word.

___________

1. This supports the consumer advocate. The manufacturer is not using “fresh” according to common usage.
2. There are no government standards. This doesn’t support the manufacturer.
3. CORRECT. The manufacturer’s argument is that he cannot be fault. This supports that idea. The manufacturer did exploit the ambiguity of language and they were legally free to do so.
4. There are no government standards for food labeling.
5. We’re trying to support the manufacturer. This answer choice just tells us how consumers should act.

Recap: The question begins with “Consumer advocate: Under the current absence of”. It is a Principle question. Learn more about LSAT Principle questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.