Logical reasoning PrepTest 112 · Section 1 · Question 7

Question prompt

It is widely believed Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: B

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Argument or Facts

Argument

Valid or Flawed

Valid

Question Type

Methods of Reasoning Questions

Stimulus Summary

Common belief - Chocolate causes acne.
Evidence - People who have bad acne report developing acne after eating chocolate
Rebuttal - Stress causes both acne and the eating of chocolate, so the common wisdom is wrong (eating chocolate is an effect of a common cause, not a cause of acne).

Answer Anticipation

This argument is interesting in that the author rebuts a claim of causality in much the way that we might rebut a flawed causal argument! Correlation doesn’t equal causation, and the LSAT generally relies on three reasons for that in forming answers:
The correlation is a coincidence (rare) The causation is reversed There is a third phenomenon that is the true cause of both correlated phenomena
This argument falls into the third category, highlighting stress as the true cause of eating chocolate and acne. Let’s find an answer stating that the argument points out the flawed logic by pointing out that specific flaw.

Answer choices

  1. A
    It cites counterevidence that Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    The evidence for the widely held belief is that people who are susceptible to acne break out after eating chocolate. Stress causing acne and the consumption of chocolate doesn’t call that into question - in fact, it suggests that the two things would be correlated for those under stress. This is a tempting answer since it brings up a counterargument, but it gets the details wrong.
  2. B
    It provides additional evidence Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    The argument takes the correlation noted in support of the widely held belief and brings up studies that suggest the correlation is due to a third cause leading to both phenomena. As such, this answer describes how the argument works, and it is therefore correct.
  3. C
    It invokes the superior Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    First, the argument doesn’t dismiss the evidence based on everyday experience - it builds off of it to reach a different interpretation of it. Second, the argument brings up the scientific studies to add evidence, not to supplant evidence simply because science beats everyday experience.
  4. D
    It demonstrates that the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    There aren’t really any well-established facts in the stimulus. That said, assuming that the reported experience of acne following chocolate consumption is a well-established fact, the position is compatible with it.
  5. E
    It provides counterexample to Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Causes do always precede their effects. There’s no time-travel on the LSAT!

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 9%
  2. B Credited 71%
  3. C 8%
  4. D 1%
  5. E 11%

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Discussion

  • B vs A 1 reply

    Started by ssn443232

  • Answer choice A 1 reply

    Started by Abigail-Okereke

  • Explanation please 2 replies

    Started by kbernard

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