Logical Reasoning · Method of Argument

PrepTest 107 · Section 3 · Question 13

Phase 1 (your first ~400 questions): read the guidance, then answer. No clock.

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Method of Argument (response in a dialogue)

The one idea it tests

The second speaker accepts the facts but adds a new factor that pulls the other way.

The basic logic

Speaker one gives a reason why something will drop. Speaker two does not deny that reason. Instead, speaker two points to a different effect of the same situation that pushes the result up. That weakens the link between the evidence and the conclusion without proving the conclusion false.

Tiny words that decide it

“why”
“tend to”
“fewer”

Playground logic

Frankie's patty: on rainy days kids stay off the blacktop. His top bun: fewer scraped knees. Sharon keeps his patty but adds a new topping, slippery hallway tag, which makes his top bun wobble without knocking it off.

Step 2 · The kid story

Rainy Day Knees

Frankie had a theory. "On rainy days, recess is inside. So there will be fewer scraped knees on rainy days, because nobody runs on the blacktop." Sharon put down her crayon. "What makes you think there will be fewer scraped knees? On rainy days, kids play tag in the hallway, and the hallway floor gets wet from everyone's boots." Frankie opened his mouth and closed it again. "But it is still true that nobody is on the blacktop," he said. "Sure," said Sharon. "I am not saying you are wrong about that. I am saying there is another thing going on that could cancel it out." Priya, sipping her juice box, nodded. "Sharon did not prove there will be more scraped knees. She just showed Frankie's reason is not enough by itself." Biscuit, who hates rain, agreed from under the table.

Step 3 · Try the model question

Frankie: On rainy days, recess is held indoors. So scraped knees drop on rainy days, since no one runs on the blacktop. Sharon: What makes you sure scraped knees drop? On rainy days, kids play tag in the hallway, and the hallway floor is slick from wet boots.

Which choice best describes how Sharon responds to Frankie?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Closed Bakery

Mr. Whitfield argued for the town council. "Your Honor, the bakery on Elm Street has closed. So there will be less litter on Elm Street, since no one will carry pastry boxes out the door." Ms. Ruiz, an invented lawyer for the neighbors, stood up. "Your Honor, I accept that the pastry boxes are gone. But an empty shop attracts people dumping trash in its doorway." The judge tapped her chin. "So you do not deny Mr. Whitfield's fact. You add another one that pushes the other way." "Exactly, Your Honor. I do not say litter will rise. I say his reason does not settle it." Mr. Whitfield sighed and snapped a suspender. "Fair enough."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 107, Section 3, Question 13 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Map the first speaker's burger: the evidence and the conclusion it is meant to support. Then read the reply. Does the second speaker deny the evidence, or accept it and add something new? Does the reply prove the opposite, or only cast doubt? Pick the description that matches exactly what the reply does, at exactly the strength it does it. Watch for answers that are too strong.