PrepTest 112
[lcid:3544] Prep Test 112 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S1
Logical reasoning
Question prompt
The best way to
Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right
Credited answer: E
The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.
Argument or Facts
Facts
Valid or Flawed
NA
Question Type
Parallel Reasoning Questions / Principle Questions
Stimulus Summary
The best way to write a detective story is to decide the crime and perpetrator, and then work backwards to the clues.
Answer Anticipation
For Principle (Illustration) questions, we need to understand the situation in the stimulus, abstract/generalize to a principle, and then find an answer that matches up. One way to do this is to write out the “bones” of the situation, and then generalize by removing the content-based language.
Here, the “bones” of the situation is that someone who is trying to write a detective story should start with the ending and work backwards to the clues. So to remove the content-based language, we can get the principle:
When working towards a goal, start at the end and work backwards to the starting point.
Let’s find an answer reflecting that!
Answer choices
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AWhen planning a trip, Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
This answer doesn’t state what people should do, or what’s best to do - it’s what different groups do, and why. -
BIn planting a vegetable Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
This answer runs counter to the stimulus. Since the stimulus is about deciding on the ending first, someone who wants to plant a vegetable garden would start with what they wanted to eat! -
CGood architects do not Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
This answer features architects planning over time and revising during construction - definitely not starting at the end point! -
DIn solving mathematical problems, Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D is not credited
This answer isn’t about deciding on the endpoint! In fact, if you already knew the endpoint for the math problem, you probably wouldn’t need to try out a variety of strategies. -
ETo make a great Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E matches the stem
This answer features a situation where one should start at the end point and then work backwards. That’s the same principle as in the stimulus, so this is the correct answer.