LNAT Essay Writing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a logical fallacy that LNAT essays should avoid?
- Identifying a correlation and treating it as definitive proof of causation (Correct answer)
- Acknowledging that evidence is limited before drawing a tentative conclusion
- Using an analogy to illustrate a complex point
- Presenting the strongest version of an opposing argument before rebutting it
Correct answer: Identifying a correlation and treating it as definitive proof of causation
Confusing correlation with causation is a classic logical fallacy that undermines analytical credibility.
Question 2: If an LNAT essay prompt contains the word 'critically evaluate,' the essay should:
- Only praise the statement in the prompt
- Only criticize the statement in the prompt
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the statement and reach a reasoned overall judgment (Correct answer)
- Describe the background context of the statement without evaluating it
Correct answer: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the statement and reach a reasoned overall judgment
'Critically evaluate' requires weighing merits and limitations before delivering a substantiated conclusion.
Question 3: Which sentence best demonstrates appropriate hedging in an LNAT essay?
- It is absolutely certain that capital punishment deters crime.
- Some empirical studies suggest a weak deterrent effect, though the evidence remains contested. (Correct answer)
- Nobody knows whether capital punishment deters crime.
- Capital punishment definitely does not deter crime.
Correct answer: Some empirical studies suggest a weak deterrent effect, though the evidence remains contested.
Appropriate hedging reflects genuine uncertainty while still engaging substantively with the evidence.
Question 4: When developing an argument about a legal or ethical topic, the most reliable analytical tool is:
- Personal emotional reaction to the issue
- Identifying the underlying principles at stake (e.g., autonomy, justice, harm) and applying them consistently (Correct answer)
- Counting how many people agree with your view
- Copying the structure of a famous speech
Correct answer: Identifying the underlying principles at stake (e.g., autonomy, justice, harm) and applying them consistently
Identifying and applying consistent principles demonstrates the kind of analytical reasoning law schools seek.
Question 5: An LNAT essay should avoid which of the following writing habits?
- Varying sentence length to maintain reader engagement
- Using passive voice exclusively throughout the essay to sound formal (Correct answer)
- Signposting the structure with phrases like 'First,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In contrast'
- Writing in the third person when analyzing evidence
Correct answer: Using passive voice exclusively throughout the essay to sound formal
Exclusive use of passive voice makes arguments vague and difficult to follow; active voice generally produces clearer reasoning.
Question 6: Which approach to defining key terms in an LNAT essay is most effective?
- Providing a dictionary definition verbatim in the introduction
- Ignoring definitions entirely to save time
- Defining contested or ambiguous terms early and explaining how your definition shapes your argument (Correct answer)
- Defining every word in the prompt, however obvious
Correct answer: Defining contested or ambiguous terms early and explaining how your definition shapes your argument
Defining genuinely contested terms and linking the definition to your argument demonstrates analytical precision.
Question 7: A student writes: 'Laws against hate speech are wrong because they restrict free speech, and restricting free speech is always wrong.' This argument is an example of:
- A well-reasoned circular argument
- Begging the question, since the conclusion is simply restated as the premise (Correct answer)
- A valid deductive argument
- An effective use of analogy
Correct answer: Begging the question, since the conclusion is simply restated as the premise
Assuming what you set out to prove — rather than providing independent support — is the fallacy of begging the question.
LNAT Essay Writing 4
Which of the following is a logical fallacy that LNAT essays should avoid?