Logical reasoning PrepTest 153 · Section 2 · Question 3

Incorrect. This doesn't address the issue of whether or not domestic seafood is safer than imported. Just deciding that all seafood is possibly unsafe won't help us evaluate the argument.

Incorrect. Again, not relevant to the difference between safety risks in domestic vs. imported seafoods. We're looking to evaluate the validity of the conclusion, so we need to stick to things that affect the conclusion specifically.

Incorrect. Outside the scope of this argument. We'd have to be evaluating an argument about general food safety for this to be relevant.

Incorrect. Same as C, it's too far away from the topic of the stimulus to be relevant.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Argument Evaluation

Stimulus Summary:
Only 2% of imported seafood has undergone health and safety inspections. Therefore, safety-minded consumers should choose domestic seafood.

Strategy Overview:
This is a rare question type. You'd definitely be forgiven for stopping and going "huh?" after reading the prompt. You'll seldom run across these questions, but when you do, treat them like a Strengthen and Weaken question at the same time. You're looking for an question that, if answered, could either strengthen or weaken the argument, depending on the answer.

Answer Anticipation:
Notice something missing in the stimulus? How much of our domestic seafood is properly inspected? If it's less than 2%, imported might actually be safer (but maybe we just shouldn't eat seafood altogether, if that's the case).

Answer Explanation:
Exactly as anticipated! If we know more than 2% of domestic seafood is inspected, the argument is good. If it's less, the argument is invalid.

Key Takeaway: If you run across a rare question type on the LSAT and realize you haven't practiced it, slow down and think about how it might be similar to other question types. When we evaluate arguments, we're judging them; in other words, figuring out how strong or weak they are. So thinking about this as in between strengthen and weaken can help you get through it, even if you haven't practiced these.