LSAT 150 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q19

LR Question 19 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Henry: Engines powered by electricity from batteries cause less…

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Umit’s conclusion is that we should not replace standard automobiles with battery-powered vehicles, if our goal is to reduce urban pollution.

REASONING: Even though the engines themselves produce less pollution, they rely on electricity. The electricity is produced at power plants, which produce pollution themselves.

ANALYSIS: To counter Umit’s argument, Henry must show that battery-powered vehicles are better than standard automobiles at reducing urban pollution, even considering the pollution from power plants. The correct answer will show this.

Remember, we are specifically talking about urban pollution here. Don’t get hung up on pollution in general; it’s outside the scope of this argument. Additionally, don’t assume electric vehicles are better based on what you know in real life. Stick to what the question says, which is that they may cause more pollution due to power costs.

___________

1. CORRECT. If power plant pollution exists outside of urban areas, then it won’t increase urban pollution. Therefore, Henry’s original point still stands.
2. This is a decent point, and you may have picked this, but it’s not the strongest counter. Answer A specifically addresses urban pollution, which this answer fails to do. This one just shows that overall, battery-powered cars produce less pollution. But we don’t know about urban pollution.
3. Okay, so some electric cars are better than others. That doesn’t tell us whether they will decrease urban pollution. The power demand might still cause more urban pollution than standard automobiles.
4. Hybrid vehicles aren’t what we’re talking about. Henry was specifically saying electric vehicles would be better; he can’t move the goalposts now and talk about hybrids instead.
5. Being able to accommodate the increased demand doesn’t show that the overall urban pollution would decrease. They’re still using electricity, which needs to be produced.

Recap: The question begins with “Henry: Engines powered by electricity from batteries cause less”. It is a Weaken question. Learn how to master LSAT Weaken questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.