LSAT 111 – Section 3 – Question 09

LSAT 111 - Section 3 - Question 09

October 2001

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT111 S3 Q09
+LR
+Exp
Weaken +Weak
Causal Reasoning +CausR
A
11%
162
B
4%
161
C
80%
167
D
3%
160
E
1%
156
130
145
161
 +Medium 147.206 +SubsectionMedium

J.Y.’s explanation

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A running track with a hard surface makes for greater running speed than a soft one, at least under dry conditions, because even though step length is shorter on a hard surface, the time the runner’s foot remains in contact with the running surface is less with a hard surface.

Summarize Argument
The author concludes that a hard track allows for faster running than a soft track, provided the conditions are dry. Why? Because on a hard track, runners spend less time with their feet touching the ground, even though their steps are shorter.

Notable Assumptions
The author assumes that runners save more time by keeping their feet off the ground than they lose by taking shorter steps on a hard track. In addition, he assumes there’s no other feature of hard tracks that allows people to run faster on them.

A
Dry running conditions can be guaranteed for indoor track races only.
This implies the conclusion isn’t always relevant, not that the argument is incomplete. The author restricts his statements to dry tracks only.
B
In general, taller runners have greater average step length than shorter runners do.
This doesn’t say shorter runners would benefit from a softer track, because it’s possible the shorter step length allowed by the harder surface holds back runners of all heights equally.
C
Hard tracks enhance a runner’s speed by making it easier for the runner to maintain a posture that minimizes wind resistance.
This calls the argument into question even though it gives another reason to support the conclusion. Perhaps hard tracks make for faster running because they reduce wind resistance, not because they allow for more air time.
D
The tracks at which the world’s fastest running times have been recorded are located well above sea level, where the air is relatively thin.
This suggests elevation is another factor that can affect running speed, but gives no difference between hard and soft tracks suggesting the reasoning is incomplete. The author does not claim that track surface is the only variable that might affect running speed.
E
To remain in top condition, a soft track surface requires different maintenance procedures than does a hard one.
This doesn’t say a soft track is any more or less likely to remain in top condition, nor what effect a track in poor condition would have on running speed.

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LSAT PrepTest 111 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Reading Comprehension

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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