PrepTest 107 · Section 1 · Question 13 (Parallel Reasoning)

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Parallel Reasoning (LEAST similar)

The one idea it tests

Four choices share the skeleton; the odd one out uses a different kind of support.

The basic logic

The skeleton: X should come first, because the other good things are useless without X. That is a necessity argument. Find the choice whose support is not about X being needed for everything else.

Tiny words that decide it

“top priority”
“no matter how”
“LEAST”

Playground logic

Owen says the band's first job is making sure the drummer shows up, because great guitars are useless without a beat. That is the skeleton: X first, since the rest is worthless without it. The odd choice out supports its priority some other way.

Step 2 · The kid story

No Drummer, No Band

Owen's garage band is getting ready for the school talent show. Nadia wants new sparkly guitar straps. Kevin wants a giant inflatable dinosaur on stage. Owen holds up a hand. "Our top priority should be making sure Frankie, our drummer, shows up. No matter how shiny the straps or how big the dinosaur, none of it matters if there's no beat to play to." Sharon nods. "Same with a soccer team. The top priority is having a goalie. Fancy jerseys don't help if nobody guards the net." Frankie, who is busy debating Sharon about something else, says, "Same with cooking. First you need a working stove. A great recipe is no help without heat." Priya sips her juice box. "Every one of those has the same shape."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Owen: The band's top priority should be making sure our drummer shows up. However great the guitar straps or the stage props are, none of them helps if there is no beat to play to.

The reasoning in which choice is LEAST like Owen's reasoning?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Missing Ladder

A fire station chief testified. "Your Honor, our top priority must be a working ladder truck. The best hoses and bravest crew are no help if we can't reach the top floor." The judge nodded and turned to a second witness, a carnival owner. "Our top priority is clowns," he declared, "because the last survey said people love clowns." Mr. Whitfield rose. "Your Honor, notice the difference. The chief said the other things are useless without the ladder. The carnival owner just said people like clowns. Popular is not the same as necessary." The judge smiled. "Same words, top priority. Different skeleton underneath."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 107, Section 1, Question 13 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

X-ray the original: a claim that one thing should come first, supported by saying the other good things are useless without it. Note that LEAST means four choices match. Check each choice's support: does it say the other things are worthless unless the priority is met? Mark each match. The one left over, whose support works some other way, is your answer.