LNAT MCQ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A newspaper editorial argues: 'Since violent crime rates fell after stricter gun laws were passed, the laws must have caused the reduction.' Which logical flaw does this argument commit?
- Circular reasoning
- Post hoc ergo propter hoc (Correct answer)
- Ad hominem
- False dilemma
Correct answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc
The argument assumes causation from correlation alone — a classic post hoc fallacy.
Question 2: A passage states: 'All mammals are warm-blooded. Whales are mammals. Therefore, whales are warm-blooded.' This argument is best described as:
- An inductive argument with a probable conclusion
- A deductive argument that is valid and sound (Correct answer)
- A deductive argument that is valid but unsound
- An argument from analogy
Correct answer: A deductive argument that is valid and sound
The premises are true and the conclusion necessarily follows, making the argument both valid and sound.
Question 3: A politician says: 'You're either with us on this policy or you want crime to run rampant.' What rhetorical device is being used?
- Slippery slope
- Straw man
- False dichotomy (Correct answer)
- Appeal to authority
Correct answer: False dichotomy
The statement presents only two options while ignoring other possible positions — a false dichotomy.
Question 4: In an LNAT passage, which of the following best describes the role of a 'counter-argument'?
- A restatement of the main claim
- Evidence that directly proves the conclusion
- A position that challenges or opposes the main argument (Correct answer)
- A rhetorical question posed by the author
Correct answer: A position that challenges or opposes the main argument
A counter-argument presents an opposing view that the author must acknowledge or refute.
Question 5: A lawyer argues: 'My client cannot be guilty because he is a devoted family man and respected community member.' This reasoning is an example of:
- Appeal to character (ad hominem in reverse) (Correct answer)
- Relevant character evidence
- Circumstantial evidence
- Direct evidence
Correct answer: Appeal to character (ad hominem in reverse)
Appealing to someone's good character to deny guilt is a logical fallacy when unrelated to the facts of the case.
Question 6: Which of the following reading comprehension skills is MOST directly tested by LNAT Section A?
- Memorising legal statutes
- Identifying implicit assumptions and evaluating arguments (Correct answer)
- Summarising passages in one sentence
- Recalling biographical details about authors
Correct answer: Identifying implicit assumptions and evaluating arguments
LNAT Section A specifically tests critical reading: identifying assumptions, inferences, and evaluating reasoning.
Question 7: A passage concludes that a new tax policy will reduce inequality. A student notes the author only cited data from one country with unique social conditions. This is an example of questioning the argument's:
- Internal consistency
- Generalisability / external validity (Correct answer)
- Logical structure
- Use of technical terminology
Correct answer: Generalisability / external validity
Relying on a single atypical case undermines whether the conclusion applies more broadly.
LNAT MCQ 2
A newspaper editorial argues: 'Since violent crime rates fell after stricter gun laws were passed, the laws must have caused the reduction.' Which logical flaw does this argument commit?