LNAT Addressing Counterarguments 3

Question 1

A passage argues: 'University education should be free.' A counterargument states: 'Free tuition benefits wealthy students more than poor ones, since wealthy students attend university at higher rates.' This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A counterargument that turns the author's equity goal against the proposal itself

Answer

This counterargument uses distributional data to argue the policy fails on its own terms — undermining the equity rationale from within.

Question 2

When evaluating a counterargument in an LNAT passage, which question is LEAST useful?

Accepted Answer

Is the person making the counterargument likeable?

Answer

The likeability of the person raising the counterargument is irrelevant to its logical validity — this is an ad hominem fallacy.

Question 3

An author argues for lowering the voting age to 16. A counterargument states: 'Teenagers are still developing neurologically and lack life experience.' The author responds: 'Many adults also lack relevant political knowledge, yet we do not restrict their right to vote.' This response uses which technique?

Accepted Answer

Drawing a parallel to show the counterargument applies equally to those already included, making it an arbitrary distinction

Answer

By showing the counterargument's logic would also exclude some adults, the author reveals it does not justify treating 16-year-olds differently.

Question 4

What does it mean when a counterargument 'cuts both ways'?

Accepted Answer

The logic of the counterargument, if accepted, would also undermine the position of the person raising it

Answer

A counterargument that 'cuts both ways' is self-defeating because its own logic would damage the opposition's position as well.

Question 5

A passage advocates stricter gun control. A counterargument argues: 'Criminals don't obey laws, so new gun laws will only disarm law-abiding citizens.' Which response most effectively rebuts this?

Accepted Answer

This logic would invalidate all laws since criminals disobey them, yet laws still reduce crime by raising costs and limiting access

Answer

Showing the counterargument's logic would eliminate all legislation reveals its flaw, while empirical data on how laws deter crime addresses its substance.

LNAT - Law National Aptitude Test Practice Test

LNAT - Law National Aptitude Test Practice Test

LNAT Addressing Counterarguments 3