LSAT 126 – Section 1 – Question 14

LSAT 126 - Section 1 - Question 14

October 2008

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT126 S1 Q14
+LR
Flaw or descriptive weakening +Flaw
Eliminating Options +ElimOpt
A
11%
159
B
4%
156
C
2%
156
D
8%
156
E
75%
164
140
150
161
 +Medium 146.126 +SubsectionMedium

Eighteenth-century moralist: You should never make an effort to acquire expensive new tastes, since they are a drain on your purse and in the course of acquiring them you may expose yourself to sensations that are obnoxious to you. Furthermore, the very effort that must be expended in their acquisition attests their superfluity.

A
draws a conclusion that simply restates a claim presented in support of that conclusion
(A) describes circular reasoning. The conclusion does not restate one of the premises. The conclusion is a recommendation not to acquire expensive new tastes; none of the premises expresses this same idea.
B
takes for granted that the acquisition of expensive tastes will lead to financial irresponsibility
The author does not assume that acquiring expensive tastes will lead to irresponsibility. Rather, the tastes will act as a “drain” on one’s purse. This just means the tastes will cost a lot; the tastes do not have to lead to irresponsibility.
C
uses the inherently vague term “sensations” without providing a definition of that term
Failure to define a term is not a flaw. We can simply use the dictionary definition of “sensations” — feelings or perceptions.
D
mistakes a cause of acquisition of expensive tastes for an effect of acquisition of such tastes
The argument’s flaw isn’t related to a mistaken causal inference. The premises describe certain effects of acquiring expensive new tastes. But the author never confuses these for what causes people to acquire these tastes.
E
rejects trying to achieve a goal because of the cost of achieving it, without considering the benefits of achieving it
The author rejects trying to acquire expensive new tastes because of certain costs to doing so, without considering the benefits from acquiring those tastes. Maybe the benefits could outweigh the costs, which would suggest acquiring the tastes is something one should do.

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LSAT PrepTest 126 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Reading Comprehension

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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