LSAT 153 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: In order to cut costs and thereby maximize his profit, Mr. Kapp…

QUESTION TYPE: Sufficient Assumption

CONCLUSION: It was wrong for Mr. Kapp to use inferior materials in constructing the library to cut costs.

REASONING: As an experienced and knowledgeable builder, he must have realized that his action would put people at serious risk.

ANALYSIS: In order to see what kind of assumptions we need, we look at the discrepancy between our conclusion and our reasoning. We can see that the main point of the conclusion is that Mr. Kapp did something wrong. However, these words aren’t explicitly used in our reasoning section. Be careful not to assume that putting people at risk is automatically wrong unless we are told this by the question itself.

___________

1. We already know that Mr. Kapp must have realized that he was putting people at risk from the stimulus. We don’t need to assume that any knowledgeable and experienced builder would have realized this.
2. This answer tells us that something can be morally wrong but legal. However, what we want is to know what is morally wrong. Therefore, this answer is irrelevant.
3. Whether or not he made a profit isn’t the issue here. We need to show that putting people at risk for the motive of profit is wrong.
4. CORRECT. This answer is correct because it bridges the gap between our conclusion and reasoning. Our conclusion tells us Mr. Kapp did something wrong. Our reasoning tells us Mr. Kapp put people at risk for profit. Therefore, all we need is something to tell us that putting people at risk for profit is wrong.
5. This is something that we already know from the stimulus. It tells us that an experienced and knowledgeable builder such as Mr. Kapp would know that he put people at risk.

Recap: The question begins with “In order to cut costs and thereby maximize his profit, Mr Kapp”. It is a Sufficient Assumption question. Learn more about LSAT Sufficient questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.