LSAT 153 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q1

LR Question 1 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: In situations where it is difficult to make informed decisions…

QUESTION TYPE: Complete the Argument

CONCLUSION: Manufacturers should label their products with information about their energy consumption [predicted conclusion]

REASONING: Consumers wanted to make healthy choices, so food manufacturers were required to label their products with nutritional information. Consumers also want to make choices that are energy-efficient.

ANALYSIS: This passage compares consumer decisions about nutrition with consumer decisions about energy use. We are told that companies are required to provide nutritional information in order to assist consumer decision-making, so it follows that this would be a similar solution for energy-based decisions.

The biggest indicator is the principle at the very beginning – the author begins by stating that when consumers are faced with difficult decisions, the solution is to provide them with information.

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1. The problem the author is attempting to address is the lack of information on energy use. This answer sidesteps that and makes a statement on what might happen if consumers were informed.
2. Manufacturers using less energy does not solve the problem of consumers not having enough information. The consumers in this case would still not know which manufacturers used less energy.
3. This answer may be true, but that’s not what the question is asking. The scope of this passage is narrow – we are focused on solving the problem of consumer decision-making, not what might happen when we do.
4. This does not follow from the argument provided. The argument is focusing on the provision of information to consumers as a solution – not the demand of consumers.
5. CORRECT. This answer follows from the logic of the argument. See the analysis above.

Recap: The question begins with “In situations where it is difficult to make informed decisions”. It is a Complete the Argument question. Learn how to master LSAT Complete the Argument questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.