Logical reasoning PrepTest 144 · Section 2 · Question 15

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Argument Completion

Stimulus Summary:
Purpose of journalism - Inform people so they can make important decisionsPurpose of people watching/reading news - Read hot goss about celebritiesTherefore, that hot goss __________.

Answer Anticipation:
The stimulus discusses two different motivations related to news coverage. The purpose of journalism is to inform people so they can make informed decisions. The purpose of some people reading news coverage is to read sensationalistic gossip about celebrities—clearly not related to any decision they'll need to make in their lives.

Thus, it must be the case that stories dealing in gossip don't serve the purpose of journalism—they can't help people make informed decisions. The correct answer should reflect that.

Answer Explanation:
Nice and weak, and this answer brings the premises together. If sensationalistic can't help people make informed choices in their lives, then that coverage can't serve journalistic purposes, so it's likely that that coverage is at least sometimes included for nonjournalistic reasons (like getting subscriptions up).

Key Takeaway:
For Argument Completion questions, find the answer that brings all of the statements together. Additionally, purpose/motive behind action is a frequently relevant topic on LSAT questions, so pay attention when it comes up.

Incorrect. While these stories don't serve the purpose of journalism, there's no indication that including gossip prevents the news media from achieving that purpose. They could be able to inform readers and still have space left over for gossip.

Incorrect. There's no comparison of the relevance of gossip now to the past, so this answer is out of scope.

Incorrect. While it shouldn't be considered a way of informing readers or meeting journalistic purpose, there's no indication that the gossip shouldn't be considered entertaining.

Incorrect. This answer is too extreme. While the gossip might not serve a journalistic purpose, it could still serve other purposes for those who are interested in journalism, such as attracting readers who can fund real journalism.