PrepTest 112

[lcid:3546] Prep Test 112 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S3 Logical reasoning

Question prompt

A newspaper article on 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

Valid

Question Type

Must Be True Questions

Stimulus Summary

Newspaper article: There are fewer and smaller strikes, so union strength is declining
Author: In a modern society, a union can focus its strength on working with others to achieve its goals, not on strikes. Calling a strike shows that they’re weak.

Answer Anticipation

First, note the way this question stem is phrased. It doesn’t ask for the main point; it asks for the main conclusion that the argument is “directed toward establishing.” This suggests that the stimulus won’t explicitly state the main point, instead providing evidence that leads to a clear idea of what that main point of the article is.
With that in mind, we can use a common pattern on the LSAT to anticipate an answer here. The argument starts by bringing up an opposing point - the argument made in a recent magazine article. That argument states that the decline in the number and size of strikes is evidence of unions being weaker.
There’s language in here that suggests the author disagrees with this. She immediately pivots from the premise of the opposing point saying, “as if the reason…” suggesting she doesn’t believe that’s the reason. She then goes on to argue that a strong union doesn’t need to strike, instead achieving its goals through other means.
Since the author isn’t on board with the article, this falls into the rebuttal pattern. We know that the two general conclusions reached in this pattern are: 1) the opposing point’s conclusion is wrong, and 2) the opposing point’s evidence isn’t enough to prove the conclusion. Here, the author shows how the evidence brought up doesn’t demonstrate that the unions are weak. She also never states that she believes unions are strong, though. Therefore, the author here is building towards the second type of conclusion - that the article’s evidence doesn’t prove its conclusion. Let’s find an answer reflecting that.

Answer choices

  1. A
    The negotiating position of Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    This answer restates a premise of the author’s rebuttal.
  2. B
    Although unions represent the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    This answer is a paraphrase (though not necessarily 100% accurate) of the final line of the stimulus which is also a premise supporting the implied conclusion.
  3. C
    There is no reason Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    This answer reflects the author’s opinion of the newspaper article - that the evidence it offers doesn’t prove its conclusion. This answer is therefore correct.
  4. D
    The reason for unions' Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    The author believes that unions can work towards these goals without strikes, so this answer doesn’t reflect her opinion at all.
  5. E
    With strong unions it Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    There’s no indication that unions are necessary for profitable and humane working conditions, so this answer is out of scope.

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