LSAT 16 – Section 2 – Question 02
LSAT 16 - Section 2 - Question 02
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| Question QuickView |
Type | Tags | Answer Choices |
Curve | Question Difficulty |
Psg/Game/S Difficulty |
Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PT16 S2 Q02 |
+LR
| Weaken +Weak | A
85%
168
B
1%
144
C
1%
149
D
5%
159
E
8%
160
|
138 148 158 |
+Medium | 146.82 +SubsectionMedium |
Here we have a weakening question, as the stem asks: Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the patent reviewers’ argument?
Our stimulus begins with some context about a patent application for a genetically engineered lab mouse that got denied. In support of their decision, the patent reviewers argued that the mouse was a new variety of animal and they aren’t allowed to approve patents for new animal varieties. This argument is a case of rule application, a conditional rule (new animal variety → no patent) is used to justify a particular conclusion (no patent for the lab mouse). It is important to note that we have not been given an explanation of what makes an animal a new variety. We know the mouse has been genetically engineered, but not whether this means it really is a new variety. That the mouse is a new variety is an assumption upon which the reviewers’ argument depends. Since there are many ways to weaken an argument, we can’t assume that this assumption will play a role in the correct answer, but we should take note of it regardless. Let’s look at the answer choices.
Correct Answer Choice (A) This answer choice completely undermines the reviewers’ argument. If the new variety rule only applies to farm animals, than it can’t be used to support denying the laboratory mouse patent.
Answer Choice (B) Who cares? This answer choice is completely irrelevant to the patent reviewers’ decision and reasoning.
Answer Choice (C) All this tells us is that the patent reviewers are consistent in their application of the rule. It does nothing to undermine their reasoning for why the rule supports denying the lab mouse patent.
Answer Choice (D) The rule that the reviewers’ cited as their reason specifically applies to animal varieties. It is entirely consistent with their reasoning that they would approve patents which don’t violate the rule. D is incorrect.
Answer Choice (E) Similar to C this just gives us some extra context that the patent reviewers have consistently applied the rule to past animal varieties. What we want is a reason why the rule shouldn’t apply to the lab mouse, which A gives us.
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LSAT PrepTest 16 Explanations
Section 1 - Logic Games
Section 2 - Logical Reasoning
- Question 01
- Question 02
- Question 03
- Question 04
- Question 05
- Question 06
- Question 07
- Question 08
- Question 09
- Question 10
- Question 11
- Question 12
- Question 13
- Question 14
- Question 15
- Question 16
- Question 17
- Question 18
- Question 19
- Question 20
- Question 21
- Question 22
- Question 23
- Question 24
Section 3 - Logical Reasoning
- Question 01
- Question 02
- Question 03
- Question 04
- Question 05
- Question 06
- Question 07
- Question 08
- Question 09
- Question 10
- Question 11
- Question 12
- Question 13
- Question 14
- Question 15
- Question 16
- Question 17
- Question 18
- Question 19
- Question 20
- Question 21
- Question 22
- Question 23
- Question 24
- Question 25
- Question 26
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