LSAT Logical Reasoning: Weaken the Argument Questions 2

Question 1

A city council argues that installing more streetlights in high-crime areas will reduce crime because criminals prefer to operate in darkness. Which of the following, if true, most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

Studies show that most crimes in the city occur during daylight hours.

Answer

If most crimes occur during daylight, darkness is not a primary enabling factor, undermining the premise that lighting deters crime.

Question 2

A nutritionist claims that people who eat breakfast every day are more productive at work because breakfast provides essential morning energy. Which weakens this argument most?

Accepted Answer

Productive people tend to have disciplined routines that include breakfast, not the other way around.

Answer

This reverses the causal direction, suggesting discipline causes both productivity and breakfast habits rather than breakfast causing productivity.

Question 3

A school board concludes that students who own pets perform better academically because caring for pets teaches responsibility. Which most weakens this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Responsible parents who instill discipline are more likely to both allow pets and support academic achievement.

Answer

A common cause—responsible parenting—could explain both pet ownership and academic success without any causal link between them.

Question 4

A pharmaceutical company argues its new drug is effective because 80% of trial participants reported improvement. Which most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

The trial had no placebo control group, so the improvement may reflect natural recovery.

Answer

Without a placebo group, the improvement cannot be attributed to the drug rather than natural disease progression or the placebo effect.

Question 5

An economist argues that raising the minimum wage will increase unemployment because employers will hire fewer workers when labor costs rise. Which most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

Higher wages increase worker purchasing power, stimulating demand and potentially creating more jobs.

Answer

Increased consumer spending from higher wages could raise demand for goods and services, leading employers to hire more rather than fewer workers.

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT Logical Reasoning: Weaken the Argument Questions 2