LSAT Logical Reasoning: Weaken the Argument Questions 4

Question 1

A wildlife conservation group argues that banning trophy hunting will increase animal populations because trophy hunting kills animals. Which most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

In some regions, trophy hunting fees fund anti-poaching patrols; without those funds, poaching increases and animal populations decline more steeply.

Answer

If trophy hunting revenue funds conservation that prevents greater losses to poaching, banning it could result in net population declines.

Question 2

A public health official argues that mandatory helmet laws for cyclists reduce head injuries, citing that cities that enacted such laws saw a reduction in cyclist head injuries. Which most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

After helmet laws were enacted, many potential cyclists stopped cycling altogether, so the injury reduction may simply reflect fewer cyclists rather than safer cycling.

Answer

If fewer people cycle after the law, injury reduction reflects reduced cycling participation rather than increased safety per cyclist.

Question 3

An educator argues that students who take music lessons perform better in math because music training builds the same cognitive skills as mathematical reasoning. Which most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

Families with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to afford music lessons and also provide academic enrichment that boosts math performance independently.

Answer

Socioeconomic status is a confound that independently provides both music lessons and math enrichment, so music may not cause the math improvement.

Question 4

A marketing executive argues that the company's new ad campaign increased sales because sales rose 20% in the quarter the campaign launched. Which most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

A major competitor went bankrupt at the start of the same quarter, likely driving their customers to the company.

Answer

A competitor's bankruptcy is an alternative explanation that could independently cause the sales increase.

Question 5

A judge argues that defendants represented by private attorneys receive fairer outcomes than those with public defenders because private attorney clients are acquitted more often. Which most weakens this argument?

Accepted Answer

Defendants who can afford private attorneys are also more likely to be charged with less serious crimes and have fewer prior convictions, which independently predict acquittal.

Answer

Defendant characteristics—not attorney type—may explain the acquittal gap, since wealthier defendants face different charges and histories.

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT Logical Reasoning: Weaken the Argument Questions 4