PrepTest 101

[lcid:3501] Prep Test 101 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S2 Logical reasoning

Question prompt

Because quitting smoking is Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: C

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Argument or Facts

Argument

Valid or Flawed

Flawed

Question Type

Bizarro / Strengthen Questions

Stimulus Summary

Problem - Quitting smoking is hard because it’s stressful and leads to weight gain
Study - Between those who went to a quit-smoking program, more of those who started exercising quit after a month than those who didn’t (0 of the latter group quit)
Solution - Replacing smoking with a healthy habit (e.g., exercise) may help quit

Answer Anticipation

Strengthen questions require us to identify any flaws in the argument, as we strengthen arguments by providing information that makes an assumption more likely to be true. In Bizarro Strengthen questions, since there will be four answers that strengthen the argument, there’s a good chance that we’ll see multiple flaws. We should identify all that we can while staying flexible when analyzing answers in case we missed a gap in the reasoning.
Here, the argument is heavily reliant on a study. Whenever there’s a study, we should think about a Sampling flaw. Here, there’s no indication that the study was large and random. While in a normal Strengthen question the lack of a reason to doubt that it was large/random would mean a Sampling answer is unlikely, in a Bizarro question, since there are so many strengthen answers, that not being established likely means we’ll get at least one answer here - one that establishes the sample is large/random.
Also related to the study, the results were only measured at the one-month mark, bringing a timeline element into the argument. If the results change over time, that would weaken this argument, so any answer that establishes the results hold over a longer time period would strengthen this argument.
Finally, this argument brings up a problem (quitting smoking is hard because of weight gain and stress), but it doesn’t tie the solution (replacing the unhealthy habit with a healthy one like exercise). Anything tying that solution into the problem will serve to strengthen this argument.
With all these potential correct answers established, let’s head to the answer choices.

Answer choices

  1. A
    Regular exercise prevents weight Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    One of the problems with quitting smoking is the weight gain associated with it. If exercising addresses that difficulty, then it would make quitting smoking easier, lining up with the conclusion.

  2. B
    Each group in the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    This answer establishes that the study was large and random, both of which provide evidence that it’s representative. As such, this answer strengthens the argument.

  3. C
    Nonsmokers accustomed to regular Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    The stimulus is about smokers, and this answer is about nonsmokers, so it’s out of scope. As such, it’s correct in this Bizarro Strengthen question.

  4. D
    Aerobic exercise can stimulate Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Similar to (A), this answer brings up a way that exercise addresses one of the things that makes quitting smoking difficult. If exercise reduces stress, then it’d be easier to deal with the effects of quitting smoking, making it easier to do so.

  5. E
    Of those in the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    The stimulus discusses a limited timeline - only one month out. If the effect persisted after a year, as well, then the argument is strengthened and the reduction in smoking wasn’t short-lived.

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