Logical reasoning PrepTest 117 · Section 4 · Question 25

Question prompt

A certain medication that Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: D

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

Argument or Facts

Facts

Valid or Flawed

NA

Question Type

Paradox Questions

Stimulus Summary

A medicine works at lowering cholesterol, but people taking it still have cholesterol levels higher than average.

Answer Anticipation

This answer falls into a common pattern presented on the LSAT, though in a question type where it doesn’t frequently show up (it’s usually in Strengthen/Weaken questions).
In this pattern, a problem is presented, a solution is noted, and the place or group to which the solution is applied is noted as still having a higher-than-average level of the problem. In general, in Strengthen and Weaken questions, the conclusion will note that the solution therefore doesn’t work. And the flaw is that it could work and make the problem better without fixing it or bringing it down to normal levels because it’d be even worse without that problem. For example, areas with heavy traffic will have stringent traffic laws, but they’ll still have a higher-than-average accident rate. Those laws work, though, and the rate would be even higher without it.
In this Paradox question, it’s set up a bit differently. It’s noted that those to whom a solution applies still have the problem at a higher-than-average level, but the solution does work. Therefore, to explain it, we should find an answer stating that these individuals receiving the solution (medication) had really high cholesterol to begin with and the medication has worked to decrease it, even if that decrease has been to levels higher than average.

Answer choices

  1. A
    A recently developed cholesterol–lowering Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    There being a more effective option out there doesn’t explain how an effective medication can leave people with a significantly higher-than-average cholesterol level.
  2. B
    Another medication is prescribed Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    The frequency of prescription doesn’t establish anything about effectiveness. We still don’t know why this medication, which is described as effective, isn’t lowering cholesterol levels to average or below-average levels.
  3. C
    In most cases, people Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    In addressing an alternative treatment, this answer fails to explain how this effective treatment leaves people with elevated cholesterol levels.
  4. D
    The medication described above Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D matches the stem
    This answer highlights that the medication is prescribed to people with very high cholesterol levels - 30+% above average. As such, the medication getting that level down to 12-15% would reflect effectiveness, even if it doesn’t completely eliminate the problem. This is therefore the correct answer.
  5. E
    Within the population as Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    This answer doesn’t tie directly into the people on the medication, so it can’t resolve the paradox of them having elevated cholesterol levels despite being treated with an effective medication.

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 5%
  2. B 2%
  3. C 3%
  4. D Credited 87%
  5. E 2%

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