LSAT Principle and Parallel Reasoning 2

Question 1

A city council member argues: 'We should fund programs that benefit the greatest number of residents. The new library branch benefits only 200 residents, while road repairs benefit 50,000 residents. Therefore, we should fund road repairs instead of the library.' Which principle, if valid, most directly supports this argument?

Accepted Answer

Public funds should be allocated to maximize the number of beneficiaries.

Answer

The argument relies on the principle that public funding decisions should maximize the number of people who benefit, which directly justifies choosing road repairs over the library.

Question 2

Which of the following arguments most closely parallels this reasoning: 'Since all published research requires peer review, and this manuscript has not been peer reviewed, it should not be cited as established science'?

Accepted Answer

Since all legitimate currencies are government-issued, and this token is not government-issued, it is not legitimate currency.

Answer

The original argument has the form: All X require Y; this lacks Y; therefore it is not X — option B mirrors this structure exactly with currencies and government issuance.

Question 3

A teacher states: 'Students who cheat undermine academic integrity. Anyone who undermines academic integrity should face consequences. Therefore, students who cheat should face consequences.' Which argument below uses the same logical structure?

Accepted Answer

Factories that pollute harm the environment, and anything that harms the environment should be regulated, so polluting factories should be regulated.

Answer

Both arguments use a syllogistic chain: A does B; anything that does B deserves C; therefore A deserves C — the pollution argument mirrors this precisely.

Question 4

A principle states: 'An action is morally permissible only if it respects the autonomy of all affected parties.' A judge applies this principle to rule that a company's nondisclosure agreement is impermissible. Which scenario best justifies this ruling?

Accepted Answer

The NDA prevents employees from discussing their own health conditions with doctors.

Answer

Preventing employees from discussing their own medical conditions with doctors undermines their personal autonomy, directly violating the stated principle.

Question 5

Analyst: 'Countries that maintain trade deficits consistently experience currency depreciation. Ruritania has maintained a trade deficit for five years. Therefore, Ruritania's currency has depreciated.' The flaw in this reasoning most closely parallels which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Heavy smokers often develop lung disease. This patient has lung disease. Therefore, this patient is a heavy smoker.

Answer

The analyst's error is affirming the consequent — concluding that because a common effect is present, the usual cause must be present — and option B makes the identical error.

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT Principle and Parallel Reasoning 2