LSAT 113 – Section 3 – Question 19

LSAT 113 - Section 3 - Question 19

June 2002

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT113 S3 Q19
+LR
+Exp
Weaken +Weak
Conditional Reasoning +CondR
Eliminating Options +ElimOpt
A
11%
165
B
59%
168
C
7%
160
D
10%
161
E
14%
162
149
162
174
 +Hardest 146.265 +SubsectionMedium

J.Y.’s explanation

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If the flowers Drew received today had been sent by someone who knows Drew well, that person would have known that Drew prefers violets to roses. Yet Drew received roses. On the other hand, if the flowers had been sent by someone who does not know Drew well, then that person would have sent a signed card with the flowers. Yet Drew received no card. Therefore, the florist must have made some sort of mistake: either Drew was supposed to receive violets, or a card, or these flowers were intended for someone else.

Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
The author concludes that the florist must have made a mistake in sending roses to Drew. This is based on the following line of reasoning. First, if the flowers Drew received were sent by someone who knew Drew well, that person would have known Drew prefers violets to roses. But, he received roses. And, if the flowers Drew received were sent by someone who didn’t know Drew well, that person would have sent a card with the flowers. But he didn’t get a card.

Notable Assumptions
The author assumes that a person who knows that Drew prefers violets over roses would send violets instead of roses. This assumption is why the author thinks that if the delivery was from someone who knew Drew well, there was a mistake. But, it’s possible someone might have known Drew’s preference, but decided not to send flowers that aligned with his preference.

A
Most people send roses when they send flowers.
What most people do doesn’t affect the reasoning, which is based on specific aspects of this flower delivery to Drew. Someone who knew Drew would know Drew prefers violets. What matters is what people would do knowing that preference. What people would do in other circumstances doesn't matter.
B
Some people send flowers for a reason other than the desire to please.
This questions the assumption that someone who knew Drew prefers violets to roses would have sent violets. It’s possible someone who knew Drew well sent him roses, despite knowing his preference. This is how it’s possible the florist didn’t make a mistake.
C
Someone who does not know Drew well would be unlikely to send Drew flowers.
This answer, if it does anything, would only suggest the flowers weren't sent by someone who didn't know Drew well. The author wasn't suggesting that the delivery had to come from such person, so (C) is consistent with the author's reasoning.
D
The florist has never delivered the wrong flowers to Drew before.
This doesn’t affect the reasoning of the argument, which was based on specific aspects of the flower delivery to Drew. The argument wasn’t citing to the florist’s past mistakes or general tendencies; an answer about the florist’s past doesn’t engage with the author’s reasoning.
E
Some people who know Drew well have sent Drew cards along with flowers.
The fact some people who know him well have sent him cards before, if it does anything, could only suggest another reason to think there was a mistake. Someone who knew him well could have sent a card, but he didn't get a card.

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LSAT PrepTest 113 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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