LNAT - Law National Aptitude Formulating Persuasive Arguments Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A city council member makes the following statement during a debate about a proposed new contemporary art museum: 'The committee advocating for this museum is composed of artists and academics who have no understanding of fiscal responsibility or the practical needs of our citizens. We should not entertain proposals from such an out-of-touch group.' What is the primary flaw in the council member's reasoning?
- It assumes that artists and academics are not concerned with the city's practical needs.
- It fails to provide evidence that the proposed museum is not fiscally responsible.
- It attacks the character of the proposal's supporters rather than the merits of the proposal itself. (Correct answer)
- It appeals to popular opinion rather than relying on factual data.
Correct answer: It attacks the character of the proposal's supporters rather than the merits of the proposal itself.
The council member's argument is an 'ad hominem' fallacy. Instead of addressing the actual proposal for the museum—its cost, location, benefits, or drawbacks—the argument dismisses it by attacking the perceived character and background of the people who support it. The validity of an idea is independent of the person or group proposing it.
Question 2: Principle: 'A law should not be so broad that it criminalises behaviour that is generally considered innocent.' Which of the following scenarios describes a law that is most likely to be criticised for violating this principle?
- A law that increases the penalties for repeat offenders convicted of theft.
- A law that requires all new buildings to meet stricter environmental standards.
- A law intended to prevent loitering which makes it illegal for any person to stand still on a public pavement for more than one minute. (Correct answer)
- A law that prohibits the sale of alcohol to individuals under the age of 21.
Correct answer: A law intended to prevent loitering which makes it illegal for any person to stand still on a public pavement for more than one minute.
This law is overly broad. While intended to prevent loitering, it would criminalise perfectly innocent behaviour, such as waiting for a friend, looking at a shop window, or waiting for a traffic light to change. The principle states that laws should be tailored to target specific wrongful acts, not common, innocent activities.
Question 3: Argument: 'To improve public safety, the city must install more CCTV cameras in the town square. Increased surveillance is a proven deterrent to street crime, as potential offenders are less likely to act if they know they are being watched.' Which of the following is a necessary assumption made in this argument?
- The current level of street crime in the town square is unacceptably high.
- The cost of installing and monitoring new CCTV cameras is affordable for the city.
- Potential offenders are aware that the CCTV cameras are present and functioning. (Correct answer)
- CCTV footage is always admissible as evidence in court.
Correct answer: Potential offenders are aware that the CCTV cameras are present and functioning.
The argument's central claim is that cameras act as a deterrent because offenders fear being watched. This deterrent effect can only work if the offenders know they are being watched. If the cameras are hidden or if potential criminals do not believe they are functional, they would have no deterrent effect, and the argument's entire premise would be undermined.
Question 4: A law firm is considering making its summer internship programme unpaid, arguing that the value of the experience and the professional connections interns make are a form of compensation in themselves. Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the firm's argument?
- Many other prestigious law firms in the city continue to offer paid internships.
- A recent survey shows that the majority of interns value practical experience over monetary compensation.
- Unpaid internships disproportionately exclude talented students from lower-income backgrounds who cannot afford to work for free. (Correct answer)
- The firm has a track record of hiring a high percentage of its former interns as full-time associates.
Correct answer: Unpaid internships disproportionately exclude talented students from lower-income backgrounds who cannot afford to work for free.
This statement weakens the firm's argument by introducing a serious negative consequence that goes beyond the concept of compensation. It suggests the policy is not just about a different form of 'payment' but that it creates a systemic barrier to entry for a specific group, raising issues of fairness and diversity that undermine the idea that the experience is a sufficient or equitable substitute for a salary.
Question 5: Read the following passage: 'The rise of 'fast fashion' has made clothing more affordable and accessible than ever before. *This democratisation of style allows individuals to participate in current trends regardless of their economic status.* However, this comes at a significant environmental cost, with increased textile waste and carbon emissions from production and transportation. Therefore, despite its apparent benefits for consumers, the fast fashion model is ultimately unsustainable.' What function does the second sentence perform in the argument?
- It provides a specific example of the environmental costs.
- It is the main conclusion of the entire passage.
- It is a supporting premise for the author's main argument.
- It presents a counter-argument or opposing viewpoint that the author acknowledges. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: It presents a counter-argument or opposing viewpoint that the author acknowledges.
The sentence acknowledges a positive aspect or a potential argument in favour of fast fashion ('democratisation of style'). The author then immediately pivots using the word 'However' to introduce the negative aspects that form the basis of their main conclusion. This technique of acknowledging an opposing point before refuting or overriding it is a common persuasive strategy.
Question 6: Argument: 'Every document that was submitted late was rejected. This particular document was not submitted late. Therefore, this particular document was not rejected.' Which of the following exhibits the same flawed reasoning as the argument above?
- All cars made by that brand are reliable. My car is reliable. Therefore, my car must be made by that brand.
- Anyone who wins the lottery is happy. Susan did not win the lottery. Therefore, Susan is not happy. (Correct answer)
- All the paintings in the north gallery are from the 19th century. The sculpture is not in the north gallery. Therefore, the sculpture is not from the 19th century.
- If you have a ticket, you can enter the concert. You do not have a ticket. Therefore, you cannot enter the concert.
Correct answer: Anyone who wins the lottery is happy. Susan did not win the lottery. Therefore, Susan is not happy.
The original argument contains a logical flaw known as 'denying the antecedent.' Its structure is: If P, then Q. Not P. Therefore, not Q. This is invalid because other reasons could exist for Q to be true (a document could be rejected for reasons other than being late). The argument about Susan perfectly mirrors this flawed structure: If you win the lottery (P), you are happy (Q). Susan did not win the lottery (Not P). Therefore, Susan is not happy (Not Q). This is flawed because Susan could be happy for other reasons.
LNAT - Law National Aptitude Formulating Persuasive Arguments Questions and Answers
A city council member makes the following statement during a debate about a proposed new contemporary art museum: 'The committee advocating for this museum is composed of artists and academics who have no understanding of fiscal responsibility or the practical needs of our citizens.
We should not entertain proposals from such an out-of-touch group.' What is the primary flaw in the council member's reasoning?