LSAT 14 – Section 2 – Question 08

LSAT 14 - Section 2 - Question 08

February 1995

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT14 S2 Q08
+LR
Method of reasoning or descriptive +Method
A
0%
160
B
96%
164
C
2%
161
D
1%
159
E
0%
150
120
123
136
 +Easiest 148.522 +SubsectionMedium

Here we have a Method of Reasoning question, which we know from the question stem: “The author of the passage criticizes the editorial by…”

After correctly identifying the question type we can use structural analysis to describe the Method of Reasoning used by our speaker.

Our stimulus begins by telling us about the defense of the U.S. government published by an editorial. The editorial defends government restrictions on scientists by saying those receiving government funding cannot rightly detach themselves from the nation’s politics. This instance of the editorial’s publication is quite different from the one that is described next. The speaker tells us the same editorial has also criticized another government for doing the opposite - not allowing their scientists to detach themselves from politics. These contrasting examples lead to the conclusion of the stimulus which asserts the editorial should explain what the difference between these scenarios entails.

Knowing that our correct answer choice will highlight the use of contrasting examples to support a conclusion, we can jump into the answer choices.

Answer Choice (A) If our stimulus were disputing factual claims as asserted in the first answer choice, we would see some sort of opinion on whether or not the claims of the different editorial publications were correct. But our argument is not concerned with identifying which one is right; it is concerned with an explanation for the different opinions being published.

Correct Answer Choice (B) This is the answer choice we are looking for! By pointing out the inconsistency between the publications, this answer choice lines up well with our prediction.

Answer Choice (C) Our stimulus focuses on an apparent inconsistency rather than on an exception. If our stimulus were using some sort of exception we would expect to hear information supporting the idea that this event rarely occurs or happens in contrast to the typical result.

Answer Choice (D) This answer choice does not align with our stimulus. Rather than refuting something in the argument, our author points out that two ideas don’t make sense together. For this reason we can eliminate the answer choice.

Answer Choice (E) Similar to the answer choice above, this one suggests our speaker is drawing a conclusion about the factual accuracy of what is published in the editorials. But whether the information is correct, our stimulus ultimately aims to push the editorial for an explanation. Thus, we can get rid of this answer choice.

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LSAT PrepTest 14 Explanations

Section 1 - Logic Games

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Reading Comprehension

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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