LSAT 124 – Section 1 – Question 14

LSAT 124 - Section 1 - Question 14

December 2007

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT124 S1 Q14
+LR
Argument part +AP
Value Judgment +ValJudg
A
1%
154
B
1%
155
C
1%
153
D
85%
165
E
13%
158
137
147
156
 +Medium 146.495 +SubsectionMedium

It has been suggested that a television set should be thought of as nothing more than “a toaster with pictures” and that since we let market forces determine the design of kitchen appliances we can let them determine what is seen on television. But that approach is too simple. Some governmental control is needed, since television is so important politically and culturally. It is a major source of commercial entertainment. It plays an important political role because it is the primary medium through which many voters obtain information about current affairs. It is a significant cultural force in that in the average home it is on for more than five hours a day.

Summarize Argument: Counter-Position
The author refutes the idea that market forces should determine the design of televisions, saying that it is too simple. Instead of market forces alone, some government control needs to be involved. Why? Television is important culturally and politically. Why? It is a major source of entertainment, the main source for many voters about current affairs, and it is on in the average home for more than 5 hours per day.

Identify Argument Part
This is a sub-conclusion. It supports the main conclusion that market forces alone are too simple, and that government control is needed. It is supported by the premises that follow it, which demonstrate exactly why it is politically and culturally important.

A
It states a view that the argument as a whole is designed to discredit.
The argument does not discredit this claim - it supports it and uses it as support for the main conclusion.
B
It is an intermediate conclusion that is offered in support of the claim that a television set should be thought of as nothing more than “a toaster with pictures” and for which the claim that we can let market forces determine what is seen on television is offered as support.
While it is an intermediate conclusion, this is not descriptively accurate because it is not supporting this claim. It instead supports the refutation of this claim.
C
It is a premise that is offered in support of the claim that we let market forces determine the design of kitchen appliances.
The argument is refuting the claim that we can let market forces determine TV design. This is just context, and it does not receive support from the premises.
D
It is an intermediate conclusion that is offered in support of the claim that some governmental control of television is needed and for which the claim that the television is on for more than five hours a day in the average home is offered as partial support.
This is descriptively accurate. The claim is a sub-conclusion, it supports the argument for some government control, and it is supported by premises including the frequency TV is on in the average home.
E
It is a premise that is offered in support of the claim that television is the primary medium through which many voters obtain information about current affairs.
This is flipped. That claim supports the sub-conclusion in question, not the other way around.

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LSAT PrepTest 124 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Reading Comprehension

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