LSAT Logical Reasoning : LSAT Logical Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for LSAT Logical Reasoning
All LSAT Logical Reasoning Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Main Point / Main Conclusion
Whales are well known for periodically leaping out of the water to the delight of those who are near enough to see the display. In fact, the entire success of the whale-watching industry may depend on the fact that whales leap out of the water. Interestingly, we really don't know why they leap. Various plausible theories have been proposed, but none has been shown to be correct.
Which of the following best expresses the main point of the passage?
Viewers are delighted when they see whales leap out of the water
Whales leap out of the water
We do not know why whales leap out of the water
The whale watching industry depends on whales leaping out of the water
Whales do not regularly leap out of the water
We do not know why whales leap out of the water
The author mentions the whale-watching industry to support the claim that it is widely known that whales leap out of the water. The main point of the passage, however, is to establish that we do not know why whales do so.
Example Question #11 : Main Point / Main Conclusion
Physical trainer: Exercise is one of the most important parts of one's day. Many people are aware that 30 minutes of exercise lowers the heart rate, burns calories, and strengthens muscles. Many people, however, do not know that 30 minutes of exercise can also provide the benefits of elevating a person's metabolism and increasing productivity at work or school.
Which of the following best expresses the trainer's main point?
Most people do not know about the most important benefits that exercise provides
There are important benefits of exercise, but there are some negative consequences as well
People are more likely to exercise if they are fully aware of the benefits of doing so
30 minutes of daily exercise is important for lowering a heart rate, burning calories, and strengthening muscles
Exercise is important because of a variety of benefits, some of which are widely known and some of which are not well known
Exercise is important because of a variety of benefits, some of which are widely known and some of which are not well known
The trainer's main point is not simply to express that exercise is important. The trainer's point is to communicate the particular benefits and to note that there are even more advantages than most people are aware of.
Example Question #15 : Main Point / Main Conclusion
It is a costly, needless error to require extensive training for all medical professionals. Some perform complex surgeries and some eye exams, but all are required to receive broad training. If training requirements were more appropriately adapted to particular jobs within the medical field, many medical professionals could more easily become certified to practice and would charge less for their services.
The author of the passage is most likely to agree with which of the following?
The jobs performed by most medical professionals should not require extensive training
All medical professionals are currently required to receive the same training
All medical professionals are currently required to receive broad training
Many medical professionals receive broader training than they need, but this is preferable to the risk of too little training
There would be no negative effects from reducing the training required for many medical professionals
All medical professionals are currently required to receive broad training
The passage expressly states that all medical professionals are required to receive broad training. The author does not express agreement with any of the other statements.
Example Question #16 : Main Point / Main Conclusion
Eye surgery has become a viable alternative to wearing glasses. There have been questions about long term effectiveness for many years, but the doubt seems to be disappearing. Few people have reported negative effects even years after surgery and many people say their improved vision has lasted. We should see the demand for eye surgery increasing drastically as a result of doubts being dispelled. Yet, the number of people obtaining eye surgeries remains relatively constant.
Which of the following best describes the main point of the passage?
Since concerns about the effectiveness of eye surgery have recently been dispelled, it is surprising that eye surgeries have not become more popular
Concerns about the effectiveness of eye surgery have recently been dispelled, so these surgeries will become more common in the future
Despite what was once thought to be the case, eye surgeries are unlikely to be a viable alternative to glasses and contacts
Eye surgery should be a more common alternative to glasses and contacts than it is currently
In the past, there were legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of eye surgery, but these concerns have recently been dispelled
Since concerns about the effectiveness of eye surgery have recently been dispelled, it is surprising that eye surgeries have not become more popular
The purpose of the passage is to explain that it is perplexing that eye surgeries have not become more popular as a result of concerns about effectiveness being dispelled. The passage is not intended to take a position on whether eye surgery should be used more often.
Example Question #111 : Lsat Logical Reasoning
Professor: I cannot agree with the common sentiment that there should be fewer math requirements for children. While few children will directly use math for their careers, studying math strengthens important skills. Through math classes, children learn to follow complex instructions, reason, and confirm results. These skills are valuable for life and careers. Besides, most other subjects that children learn are also only indirectly useful.
Which of the following best expresses the professor's main point?
Most subjects teach children fewer skills than math
Children gain valuable skills by studying math even when they do not directly use math in their careers
There should be no changes to math requirements for children
Those who suggest that children should have fewer math requirements underestimate how often children will directly use math in their careers
Through math, children learn skills that they cannot learn in other ways
Children gain valuable skills by studying math even when they do not directly use math in their careers
The professor concedes that children are unlikely to directly use math in their careers. The professor's main point is that math produces skills that are indirectly useful. Further, while the above argument is a response to those who would reduce math requirements, it is not clear precisely what the professor believes are the appropriate requirements.
Example Question #112 : Lsat Logical Reasoning
Gaining mastery in a particular skill or field appears to be possible if one merely devotes a sufficient amount of time to study and practice. Some researchers, in fact, have determined that ten thousand hours is the "magic number" an individual needs for mastery in a particular area. But this conclusion is too simplistic to be useful; it assumes that every individual begins with the same capacity for learning, when in fact innate abilities vary significantly. Possibly it would be more accurate to state that ten thousand hours is the average amount of time needed for mastery by a person with an average amount of ability in a particular area.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?
Gaining mastery in a particular skill or field is possible with significant study and practice.
Innate learning abilities vary significantly from person to person.
It is impossible to predict the number of hours needed for an individual to attain mastery in a particular skill or field.
The determination that an individual needs ten thousand hours for mastery in a particular area is not useful because it is too simplistic.
Some researchers have determined that ten thousand hours is a "magic number" needed for mastery.
The determination that an individual needs ten thousand hours for mastery in a particular area is not useful because it is too simplistic.
The argument's main conclusion is found at the beginning of the third sentence: the researchers' ten thousand hours figure is too simplistic to be useful. The other answer choices, while they contain premises and/or inferences based on the argument, do not contain the argument's main conclusion.
Example Question #22 : Determining Which Answer Most Accurately Expresses The Main Idea Of The Argument
Technology expert: Many people believe that smartphones are getting too big nowadays. They argue that portability is more important than screen size, and that if a person wants a huge screen, he or she should buy a tablet rather than a smartphone. But these arguments ignore current sales data. In the last three years, the best-selling new phones have consistently had screen sizes half an inch to an inch larger than their competitors. Bigger, it seems, is still better in the eyes of consumers.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the technology expert’s argument?
Many people believe that smartphones are too large.
Those arguing that portability in smartphones is more important than screen size fail to take current sales data into account.
The best-selling new phones have consistently larger screens than their competitors.
Most consumers believe that bigger smartphones are more practically useful than smaller ones.
Tablets and smartphones are beginning to have overlapping markets.
Those arguing that portability in smartphones is more important than screen size fail to take current sales data into account.
The argument’s conclusion is found in the third sentence: “these arguments (i.e. the arguments of those who believe portability is more important than screen size) ignore current sales data.” The remaining answer choices either restate premises of the argument, or contain extrapolated statements not contained in the passage.
Example Question #23 : Determining Which Answer Most Accurately Expresses The Main Idea Of The Argument
Computer programmer: Antivirus programs are notorious for reporting false positives -- that is, they detect and alert the user to threats which are not really threats. This is a popular tactic among developers of this type of software, because it makes consumers feel like the programs are actually doing something. Consequently, those programs which are most efficient are sometimes seen by the unwary as the least effective.
The computer programmer's statements most closely conform to which of the following assessments?
Antivirus programs which report false positives are less effective than those which only report threats that will actually damage a person's computer.
It is more likely that an antivirus program will be bought by a particular consumer if it reports at least some threats which are not really threats.
Some people purchase antivirus programs solely on the basis of how many threats they can detect and report.
Some people believe that antivirus programs which overreport threats are more effective than programs that are, in fact, more efficient.
Those who are unwary are unable to determine which antivirus programs on the market are both efficient and effective.
Some people believe that antivirus programs which overreport threats are more effective than programs that are, in fact, more efficient.
The correct answer choice is the only which is tempered enough to closely conform to the actual statements of the computer programmer. As stated in the last sentence of the passage, at least some people believe that programs which give false positives are more effective than those which are more efficient. There is not enough information in the statements to determine whether this is, in fact, the case -- we merely know that some people believe it to be so. The remaining answer choices contain possible implications which might be accurate, but they do not express what is actually stated.
Example Question #113 : Lsat Logical Reasoning
When describing weather, people describe only sunny days as "nice" days. Why should this be? The meaning of "nice" in other contexts depends on the subjective preferences of the speaker. For instance, a person would only describe a car as being "nice" if the person personally preferred it, and one person might describe a particular car as "nice" while another would not. A person who prefers rain to sun, however, would likely still describe a sunny day as a "nice" day, but would not describe a rainy day the same way.
Which of the following most accurately describes the main point of the argument?
The precise meaning of words depends on the context in which they are used
Some people prefer rainy days to sunny days
In the context of describing weather, the word "nice" has a different, less subjective meaning than in other contexts
People generally use the word "nice" more subjectively when describing cars than when describing weather
The meaning of the word "nice" varies substantially from one context to another
In the context of describing weather, the word "nice" has a different, less subjective meaning than in other contexts
The key to this question is to not construe the purpose of the passage too narrowly or too broadly. The passage indicates that the discussion of cars serves only as an example and is not the primary point. Conversely, the purpose of the passage is not so broad as to apply beyond a discussion of the unique use of "nice" in the context of weather.
Example Question #114 : Lsat Logical Reasoning
Although most people occasionally bring their cars to an automated car wash, few really ensure that their cars are thoroughly cleaned–probably because most people care only that their cars have a generally clean appearance. An automated car wash will generally accomplish that goal, but a car wash should accomplish more. An automated car wash will not thoroughly clean a car, and a car that is not thoroughly cleaned will quickly rust.
Which of the following best expresses the main point of the passage?
Automated car washes provide some protection against rust, but alone are not sufficient protection
Most cars are not thoroughly cleaned
Most people are overly concerned about their cars having a generally clean appearance
Cars that are only cleaned at automated car washes will quickly rust
Cars are generally not washed often enough to be protected from rust
Cars that are only cleaned at automated car washes will quickly rust
The purpose of the passage is to establish that cars cleaned only at automated car washes will quickly rust. The other claims in the passage are intended only as support for that primary assertion. The passage makes no claim about how often a car should be washed or about whether automated car washes offer at least some protection from rust.
All LSAT Logical Reasoning Resources
