PrepTest 125

Incorrect. The conclusion is about when it's best not to take a strong position, so the sufficient conditions to take a strong position will be a negation of the principle that justifies the conclusion.

Incorrect. The argument concludes a recommendation against taking a strong position until all evidence is impartially considered, so this answer about being careful while analyzing evidence after already having taken a strong position doesn't reflect the Columnist's argument.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
If you want to fully understand something, you have to look at evidence impartially. But having a strong opinion means you can't do that. So don't take a strong opinion until you've analyzed all the evidence.

Answer Anticipation:
Like most Strengthen (Principle) questions, this answer draws a judgment in the conclusion—in this case, it makes a recommendation against something (taking a position before considering all evidence).

When that happens, the correct answer generally connects the details in the premises to the judgment in the conclusion. By starting with the judgment, we can identify the details that the author believes establishes the conclusion.

Here, why does the Columnist believe that you shouldn't form a strong opinion until you analyze all the evidence? Because you can't fully understand something if a strong opinion gets in your way. So the principle here will be something along the lines of:
If you don't fully understand an issue, don't take a strong position on it.

(That should be common sense, but . . . )

Answer Explanation:
This answer is succinct and correct. The conclusion recommends against taking a strong position based on that getting in the way of fully understanding that issue by interfering with an impartial analysis of the evidence. This answer draws that connection.

Key Takeaway:
More complex =/= better answer choice. Sometimes, the straightforward answers are correct, and the additional language in the other answers is there just to trap you. Don't pick an answer because it sounds like a correct LSAT answer.

Incorrect. This answer doesn't connect to avoiding forming a strong opinion, so it falls short of reaching the conclusion.

Incorrect. Careful! This answer is about taking a strong position, but it establishes a necessary condition for doing so ("only if"), so it can justify the conclusion of the argument. However, the necessary condition here—there being existing conflicting evidence—isn't the evidence the Columnist relies on in reaching her conclusion.