Logical reasoning PrepTest 152 · Section 4 · Question 11

The conclusion of this argument is predicated on Mary sending an application by regular mail from Greendale, so it's not assuming that she does so, it's saying what is true if she does so.

The conclusion is predicated on Mary sending in the application by regular mail. If the conclusion was instead, "So if Mary is sending an application by mail from . . . ", then this would be a contender.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
The deadline for a Grant is October 1. It can take 10 days to mail an application from Greendale. Mary, who is mailing her application from Greendale, must mail it out ten days before the due date.

Answer Anticipation:
This argument uses a common misdirect on the LSAT, and it does so through a small word that makes a huge difference.

Since humans tend to focus on nouns, one might read that second sentence as follows: It can take up to TEN DAYS for REGULAR MAIL from GREENDALE to reach GILLESPIE CITY.

However, on the LSAT, logic and certainty are king. Instead, it should be read: It CAN take UP TO ten days for regular mail from Greendale to reach Gillespie City.

That language setting up logic and certainty is easily overlooked on the exam. In this question, the other premise and conclusion use much more certain language (must, will be, only if). This jump between the uncertain language of the second sentence and the certain language of the conclusion is an error in reasoning.

Answer Explanation:
This answer gets at the discrepancy in certainty that we found. While regular mail can take up to 10 days to get from one location to another, it might not take that long. This answer points out that the 10 days is listed as a potential maximum, not a certain time frame.

Key Takeaway:
Small words on the LSAT sometimes carry a lot of meaning. While the word can is one that most people use almost as a filler in the real world, on the LSAT, it has a specific (and weak) meaning, and when it shows up in an argument, the level of certainty it denotes is usually important to the question.

The entire argument here is about a necessary condition to being considered, and to getting an application in on time (must be, only if). This answer states that the argument assumes getting the application in on time is sufficient for consideration, which the argument never does.

Since the entire argument is about regular mail (both premise and conclusion), this answer choice about express mail is out of scope. If anything, the argument is assuming that regular mail is an option as long as you plan it out ahead of time.