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Logical Reasoning: Arguments (LSAT) online Test

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The proposal to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use has been met with great resistance despite the potential for windfall tax revenues for the state. But this is not all. Advocates argue that the state stands to gain even more as a result of the reduction of law enforcement and incarceration costs resulting from the elimination of the "black market" and any associated criminal activity thereof, and that this is the primary benefit to society as a result of this legislation. Critics, on the other hand, argue that despite these supposed benefits, the social cost of legalizing marijuana is too great. They argue that it will lead to a higher accident rate, greater use of more serious drugs, and in a less alert population.

The advocates' argument depends on the assumption that

We should not repeal "Don't ask don't tell". While it is true that homosexual recruits are forced to keep their sexual orientation hidden as a result of this policy, sexual orientation is not an appropriate subject for workplace discussion in the first place. The existing policy, therefore, is not discriminatory and merely serves to provide guidelines for appropriate workplace behavior.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken this argument?

Late night comedians have now assumed the role of newsmen. Statistics indicate that the news comedy program “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” is far more popular among individuals below the age of 40 than any other news program currently on television.

What is the conclusion of this argument?

There are more cars in Xanadu than there are in Beavertown.

The conclusion of this argument follows logically if which if the following is assumed?

Many cricket commentators consider Sachin Tendulkar to be the best batsman of his generation. However, these commentators are mistaken because a closer look at batting statistics from the past two decades reveals that Sachin Tendulkar’s overseas batting average is actually lower than that of Ricky Ponting, a contemporary Australian batsman.

This argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

Description:

An exercise in identifying the components of an argument. You will be required to identify the conclusion of an argument, necessary and/or sufficient assumptions, as well as strengthen and/or weaken a given argument. Please let me know if you have questions.

Tags:

LSAT Argument Analysis LSAT Logical Reasoning LSAT Logical Reasoning: Analyzing Arguments Evaluating Arguments LSAT Logical Reasoning: Evaluating Arguments Logic

Comments

By: Kalyan C Dudala
499 days 23 hours 34 minutes ago

As always, let me know if you have questions or if you'd like to see more practice exercises on here.

By: aditya
202 days 3 hours 53 minutes ago

can you kindly explain the fourth one?

By: Kalyan C Dudala
202 days 2 hours 31 minutes ago

The conclusion states that the existing policy is not discriminatory and merely provides guidelines for appropriate workplace behavior. The evidence states that sexual orientation is not an appropriate subject for workplace behavior. In order for the conclusion to follow logically from the evidence, everyone would need to be subject to the same standard for appropriate workplace behavior regardless of sexual orientation.

Answer choice C gives us reason to believe that this is not the case since heterosexual recruits are NOT currently required to keep their orientation hidden, but homosexual recruits ARE required to keep their orientation hidden. This is why C is correct.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions about why any of the other answer choices are wrong.

By: Utkarsh Singh Singh
49 days 16 hours 12 minutes ago

i would like to take more tests like these;
These were brilliant.

By: viktor ESL
387 days 6 hours 33 minutes ago

Dear Kalyan. It was an interesting test. While I understand answers 1 and 2 now, I am still struggling with answer 3. With regards.

By: Kalyan C Dudala
386 days 14 hours 9 minutes ago

Hi Viktor,

Thanks for writing. I’m glad you asked this question.

The conclusion of an argument is its main point i.e. the claim that the author is asserting to be true on the basis of premises or evidence that he/she provides. A good way to think about it is to take each statement and ask yourself, “Is this statement supporting another statement or is this statement being supported by another statement?” The former would fall under the category of premises or evidence, and the latter would fall under the category of conclusions.

In the argument presented in question 3, “Late night comedians have now assumed the role of newsmen” is the main claim being made, and is supported by the following statement which cites statistics on popularity. In other words, the conclusion is what the author wants you to believe and the evidence comprises the reason(s) why you should believe the conclusion.

Bear in mind that conclusions will not always be explicitly stated, so if you cannot find a statement that is being supported by other statements in the argument, ask yourself “What does the author want me to believe?”

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Best,
Kalyan