PrepTest 112
[lcid:3547] Prep Test 112 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S4
Logical reasoning
Question prompt
Legal theorist: It 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
Argument Structure Questions
Stimulus Summary
Judgment - It’s unreasonable to jail anyone unless they’re a threat to others/property
Analysis - Here are three alternative reasons for incarcerating someone that are insufficient
Answer Anticipation
Similar to the previous question in this section, this one is all about quickly understanding the argument and getting to the correct answer as soon as possible. The question types about the argument itself (mainly, Main Point and Argument Structure) are really about building up time for harder questions.
Knowing that judgments are generally conclusions helps greatly here. And we get a judgment in the opening line - it is “unreasonable” to jail anyone for something other than them being a threat. That type of judgment will almost always serve as the main point of an argument, so we should read on with the mindset that we’re likely heading to premises.
And this is where knowing common methods of reasoning can help! Here, the Theorist goes through three alternative reasons for incarcerating people, showing that each of them is insufficient to justify the practice. In eliminating these alternatives, the Theorist is supporting her view that only danger can justify it.
So the statement in question here - the first sentence - is the main point of the argument. Let’s find an answer reflecting that.
Answer choices
-
AIt is offered as Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
It’s not a premise, and this answer talks about one of the reasons for incarceration that the Theorist eliminates (free will). -
BIt is offered as Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
It’s not background - it’s a judgment that the Theorist supports by eliminating alternatives. -
CIt is offered as Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C matches the stem
This answer correctly describes the role of the first sentence - it’s a judgment that the Theorist offers as her main point, supported by the elimination of alternatives. -
DIt is offered as Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
The argument doesn’t discuss retribution, nor what is more important. The statement in question also isn’t evidence - it’s the conclusion. -
EIt is offered as Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
The statement in question is a main point, not a premise/evidence.
What this tests
Discussion
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