LSAT 150 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q3

LR Question 3 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Taxi driver: My passengers complained when, on a hot day…

QUESTION TYPE: Principle – Strengthen

CONCLUSION: It was the correct decision to turn off the air conditioner.

REASONING: Even though the engine could run the air conditioner and climb the hill, the fuel economy would have decreased considerably.

ANALYSIS: The taxi driver justifies not running the air conditioner by saying that her fuel economy would have suffered considerably. We are looking for a principle that allows this reasoning.

Something like “It is acceptable for a taxi driver to turn off the air conditioner if their fuel economy will suffer with it on”.

Or, “It is acceptable for a taxi driver to do something passengers dislike, if the alternative would reduce her fuel economy considerably”.

___________

1. This does not support the driver’s reasoning. The taxi driver would have been able to run the air conditioner and maintain a consistent speed. So under this principle, she would have had to keep it on!
2. CORRECT. The taxi driver’s fuel economy would drop. Therefore, under this principle the taxi driver should not run the air conditioner.
3. This principle does not support her reasoning. She disregarded their complaints due to her own fuel economy concerns.
4. This principle would have required her to keep the air conditioner on, maximizing customer satisfaction.
5. Her passengers complained! So this principle would require her to turn it on again.

Recap: The question begins with “Taxi driver: My passengers complained when, on a hot day”. It is a Principle Justify question. Learn how to master LSAT Principle Justify questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.