LSAT Logical Reasoning: Strengthen and Support Questions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A city council argues that building a new stadium will boost local tourism because similar stadiums in other cities have increased hotel occupancy rates. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens this argument? (A) The other cities that built stadiums are in different geographic regions. (B) The new stadium will host events that attract visitors from outside the region. (C) Local residents have opposed the stadium construction on noise grounds. (D) Hotel rates in the city are already among the highest in the state.
- The other cities that built stadiums are in different geographic regions.
- The new stadium will host events that attract visitors from outside the region. (Correct answer)
- Local residents have opposed the stadium construction on noise grounds.
- Hotel rates in the city are already among the highest in the state.
Correct answer: The new stadium will host events that attract visitors from outside the region.
Option B strengthens the argument by confirming that the stadium will attract the out-of-town visitors needed to boost tourism and hotel occupancy.
Question 2: A nutritionist claims that eliminating refined sugar from one's diet leads to improved mental clarity. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens this claim? (A) Many people find it difficult to completely eliminate refined sugar from their diets. (B) Studies show that blood glucose spikes from refined sugar are followed by energy crashes that impair cognitive function. (C) Mental clarity is difficult to measure objectively in clinical settings. (D) Some refined sugar substitutes have been linked to digestive issues.
- Many people find it difficult to completely eliminate refined sugar from their diets.
- Studies show that blood glucose spikes from refined sugar are followed by energy crashes that impair cognitive function. (Correct answer)
- Mental clarity is difficult to measure objectively in clinical settings.
- Some refined sugar substitutes have been linked to digestive issues.
Correct answer: Studies show that blood glucose spikes from refined sugar are followed by energy crashes that impair cognitive function.
Option B provides a causal mechanism explaining why eliminating refined sugar would improve mental clarity, directly strengthening the nutritionist's claim.
Question 3: An economist argues that raising the minimum wage will not increase unemployment because businesses will offset higher labor costs by reducing employee turnover. Which of the following most strengthens this argument? (A) Employee turnover is expensive for businesses due to recruitment and training costs. (B) Some economists believe minimum wage increases always reduce employment. (C) Minimum wage workers tend to spend their extra earnings locally. (D) Large corporations can absorb wage increases more easily than small businesses.
- Employee turnover is expensive for businesses due to recruitment and training costs. (Correct answer)
- Some economists believe minimum wage increases always reduce employment.
- Minimum wage workers tend to spend their extra earnings locally.
- Large corporations can absorb wage increases more easily than small businesses.
Correct answer: Employee turnover is expensive for businesses due to recruitment and training costs.
Option A strengthens the argument by confirming that reduced turnover represents a real cost saving that could offset higher wages, making layoffs unnecessary.
Question 4: A school board contends that extending the school day by one hour will improve student test scores. A critic objects that tired students learn less effectively. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the school board's position against this objection? (A) Test scores in the district have declined steadily over the past five years. (B) The additional hour will be used for review sessions scheduled after students have had a physical activity break. (C) Teachers in the district are contractually entitled to additional pay for extra hours. (D) Other school districts have tried extended days with mixed results.
- Test scores in the district have declined steadily over the past five years.
- The additional hour will be used for review sessions scheduled after students have had a physical activity break. (Correct answer)
- Teachers in the district are contractually entitled to additional pay for extra hours.
- Other school districts have tried extended days with mixed results.
Correct answer: The additional hour will be used for review sessions scheduled after students have had a physical activity break.
Option B directly addresses the fatigue objection by showing the extra hour follows a break, making students less likely to be too tired to benefit from additional instruction.
Question 5: A historian argues that the decline of the Roman Empire was primarily caused by economic factors rather than military defeats. Which of the following, if true, most supports this argument? (A) Rome suffered several significant military defeats in the third century CE. (B) Rome's military remained largely intact even as its administrative and tax collection systems collapsed in the fifth century. (C) Many historians continue to debate the primary causes of Rome's fall. (D) Economic troubles in Rome mirrored those in its eastern provinces.
- Rome suffered several significant military defeats in the third century CE.
- Rome's military remained largely intact even as its administrative and tax collection systems collapsed in the fifth century. (Correct answer)
- Many historians continue to debate the primary causes of Rome's fall.
- Economic troubles in Rome mirrored those in its eastern provinces.
Correct answer: Rome's military remained largely intact even as its administrative and tax collection systems collapsed in the fifth century.
Option B strengthens the economic explanation by showing that the military was not the failing institution—instead, the economic and administrative systems collapsed first.
Question 6: A pharmaceutical company argues that its new drug is safe for long-term use because it showed no adverse effects in a two-year clinical trial. Which of the following, if true, most strengthens this conclusion? (A) The drug was tested on a population sample that reflects the demographics of its intended users. (B) Competitors have released similar drugs with comparable safety records. (C) The drug's active ingredients are derived from naturally occurring compounds. (D) The clinical trial was conducted at research hospitals with excellent safety protocols.
- The drug was tested on a population sample that reflects the demographics of its intended users. (Correct answer)
- Competitors have released similar drugs with comparable safety records.
- The drug's active ingredients are derived from naturally occurring compounds.
- The clinical trial was conducted at research hospitals with excellent safety protocols.
Correct answer: The drug was tested on a population sample that reflects the demographics of its intended users.
Option A strengthens the argument by ensuring the trial results are generalizable to the actual intended user population, making the safety conclusion more reliable.
Question 7: An urban planner argues that converting parking lots into green spaces will reduce city temperatures. Which of the following most strengthens this argument? (A) City residents have expressed strong interest in having more parks. (B) Asphalt in parking lots absorbs heat and radiates it back, raising local temperatures significantly more than vegetation does. (C) Green spaces require ongoing maintenance that can be costly for city budgets. (D) Some cities have converted green spaces back into parking lots due to demand.
- City residents have expressed strong interest in having more parks.
- Asphalt in parking lots absorbs heat and radiates it back, raising local temperatures significantly more than vegetation does. (Correct answer)
- Green spaces require ongoing maintenance that can be costly for city budgets.
- Some cities have converted green spaces back into parking lots due to demand.
Correct answer: Asphalt in parking lots absorbs heat and radiates it back, raising local temperatures significantly more than vegetation does.
Option B provides the scientific mechanism explaining why replacing parking lots with green spaces would reduce temperatures, directly strengthening the planner's argument.
LSAT Logical Reasoning: Strengthen and Support Questions 2
A city council argues that building a new stadium will boost local tourism because similar stadiums in other cities have increased hotel occupancy rates.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens this argument?
(A) The other cities that built stadiums are in different geographic regions.
(B) The new stadium will host events that attract visitors from outside the region.
(C) Local residents have opposed the stadium construction on noise grounds.
(D) Hotel rates in the city are already among the highest in the state.