Logical reasoning PrepTest 118 · Section 4 · Question 7

Incorrect. Gas and electric mowers both cut lawns, so it's unclear how this highlights a difference that would make electric mowers better for the environment.

Incorrect. The argument only cares about the pollution, not the expense. It even accounts for the inability to afford electric mowers by stating that people should use the electric mowers "whenever feasible." All that said, even if you thought expense was relevant because it might stop some people from using electric mowers, that would weaken the argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Gas mowers pollute a lot in the summer. Electric mowers emit no pollution. If people switched to an electric mower when possible, pollution would be reduced.

Answer Anticipation:
The argument compares gas-powered motors to electric mowers on the metric of pollution. Gas mowers emit pollution; electric mowers don't. The conclusion is that using electric mowers will, therefore, reduce pollution. If emissions are the only source of pollution, then that argument holds; if mowers have other sources of pollution, then the argument is questionable. An answer that will strengthen the argument, therefore, will eliminate an alternative source of pollution for electric mowers.

Answer Explanation:
This answer highlights another source of pollution that's present in electric mowers but not gas mowers—electricity generation. If that generation creates less pollution than running a car, which is equated to running a gas-powered mower, then the argument is strengthened. Another potential source of pollution for electric mowers isn't at the same level as the gas-powered mowers, thus making it more likely that switching to the electric versions will cut down on pollution.

Key Takeaway:
Note that the comparison between gas-powered mowers and cars wasn't relevant to the logic of the argument (since it's independently established that gas-powered mowers cause summer air pollution), but it did end up being relevant to the correct answer. Comparisons are a common logic feature tested on the LSAT. When two things are equated like this, there's a good chance that the correct answer will substitute in one idea for another to make you go through another step to justify that answer. Note these comparisons even if they don't end up being relevant to your analysis of the argument!

Incorrect. First, there's no guarantee they'll be successful, so this answer doesn't guarantee anything enough to impact the argument. Second, even if it did, it would suggest that the difference between gas and electric mowers is shrinking, which doesn't align with the argument.

Incorrect. The auto comparison was drawn to show that the gas mowers pollute a significant amount while running, and they presumably run for as long as electric mowers do, and that's the relevant comparison.