PrepTest 107

[lcid:3527] Prep Test 107 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S4 Logical reasoning

Question prompt

Political opinion and analysis Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: B

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

Strengthen with Necessary Premise Questions

Stimulus Summary

Phenomenon - TV talk shows have mainstream political views
Explanation 1 - The TV stations have a political agenda
Pivot/Goal - TV stations want to make money by getting large audiences
Conclusion - This is the real explanation for the mainstream political views

Answer Anticipation

First, let’s start with the question stem. While the language here isn’t specifically stating that this is a Strengthen with Necessary vs. Sufficient Premise, when the stem is silent on that issue, the correct answer will always be a necessary premise. It’ll often also be sufficient, but that’s not a requirement for a correct answer.
Now, to the argument itself. It’s an interesting mix of two of our common patterns. There’s a Phenomenon presented (the mainstream views on TV talk shows), and an Explanation for it. However, the Author then pivots to a Goal of TV stations, which calls that explanation into question. From that, it concludes that the Goal is the real explanation for bland/innocuous political views on these shows.
Since we’re looking for an assumption made by the author of the passage, let’s focus on that half of the argument. There, we learn that the goal of the TV stations is to make money by having a large audience. This is why, the Author contends, they air bland and innocuous political views.
However, two issues there. First, there’s no indication that such views will lead to a large audience! Maybe people watch TV talk shows to listen to people they disagree with, or to hear outlandish arguments. The Author here is assuming that bland/innocuous political views lead to viewers, so let’s find an answer making that connection. Second, the stimulus is about mainstream political views, but the Author shifts to discussing bland/innocuous views. Maybe the mainstream views are actually outlandish! This shift in concepts is another thing we can look for answers about.

Answer choices

  1. A
    most television viewers cannot Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    The language here is too strong in talking about “most” viewers and what is “most” disturbing. This also doesn’t tie into viewership at all - maybe people like hearing disturbing views.
  2. B
    there are television viewers Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    This answer connects the mainstream views to viewership. If no one would skip a TV show because it airs views outside of the mainstream (those that would be controversial/disturbing), then viewership can’t explain why the TV shows stick to mainstream political views, invalidating the conclusion. This answer is thus a necessary premise.
  3. C
    each television viewer holds Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    If anything, this answer suggests that people might watch TV shows that aired a mix of opinions, including those outside of the mainstream. As such, the desire for viewers can’t explain the airing of only mainstream political views.
  4. D
    there are television shows Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    The stimulus is about TV talk shows, so other shows are out of scope.
  5. E
    the television talk shows Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    The argument cares only that they are similar in the mainstream nature of the political views they air, so there’s no need for them to resemble each other in any other respect.

What this tests

Discussion

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