LSAT 148 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q6

LR Question 6 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Engineer: Wide roads free of obstructions have been…

QUESTION TYPE: Principle – Conform

FACTS:

1. Wide, clear roads make drivers take risks.
2. Likewise, slowing global warming by blocking the sun might encourage more risky CO2 emissions.

ANALYSIS: Normally, you’d expect wide, clear roads to be safe to drive on. There are no obstacles or dangers. But, if people react to that by taking risks, then danger could increase. In other words, an attempt to solve a problem indirectly could make it worse by encouraging risks. The same could occur with CO2: if we slow global warming indirectly, then we’ll feel safe and emit more.

___________

1. CORRECT. This fits the situations described in the stimulus. Security: Wide roads, sun blocking. Risk taking: dangerous driving, more CO2 emissions.
2. The engineer didn’t say this at all! I’m sure the engineer might agree that, say, benevolent aliens could solve our global warming problem.
3. This doesn’t follow. For example, we might introduce a technical fix that eliminates CO2 emissions. In that case, the engineer would probably think it a permanent solution. They only thought that blocking the suns rays would be temporary, since co2 is still a problem for other reasons.
4. This is way too broad. The engineer only gave two examples where technical fixes didn’t discourage risks. But there might be other areas where technical fixes are enough to discourage risks.
5. This is also way too broad. The engineer didn’t say: all problems get worse all the time. Some problems resolve themselves. For example, when you get a cold, usually your body fixes the problem by itself.

Recap: The question begins with “Engineer: Wide roads free of obstructions have”. It is a Principle – Conform question. To practice more Principle – Conform questions, have a look at the LSAT Questions by Type page.