PrepTest 113 · Section 2 · Question 17 (Paradox)

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Paradox (EXCEPT)

The one idea it tests

In an EXCEPT paradox, four answers explain the gap; the odd one out does not touch why the expected change failed to appear.

The basic logic

The puzzle: a rule usually brings a change, but in one place the number stayed flat. Helpers show the rule did not really work there, something pushed the other way, or the numbers are not comparable. The right answer leaves the gap as puzzling as before (it fails the Handshake Test).

Tiny words that decide it

“usually”
“NOT”
“same”

Playground logic

Reading logs usually raise the book count, but the class count stayed flat. Priya's reasons each shake hands with both facts. Owen's fact about who read the books may be true, but it never explains why the total didn't climb.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Reading Log Riddle

Ms. Rivera read a school report: classes that start reading logs usually read about ten percent more books. So her class started logs two months ago. But Lulu's clipboard showed the class reading exactly as many books as before. 'Mystery!' said Marcus. Priya listed possible answers. 'The library was closed most of those two months, so books were hard to get. Or kids started picking thicker books, so more pages but not more books. Or the report's classes got prizes for logs, and we don't.' Each one explains the flat number. Then Owen said, 'Most of the books we read lately were read by kids who keep logs.' Priya shook her head. 'Maybe true, but it doesn't explain why the total didn't climb.'

Step 3 · Try the model question

A school report says that classes that start reading logs usually read about ten percent more books afterward. Ms. Rivera's class started reading logs two months ago, yet the class has read the same number of books per month as before.

Suppose each choice below is true. Each one helps explain the puzzle EXCEPT:

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Muddy Park

A report says towns with a 'pick up after your dog' rule usually see about a fifth fewer park mess complaints. Maple Hollow passed the rule two years ago, yet complaints stayed the same. Angry residents sued the mayor. Mr. Whitfield called witnesses. 'A huge new dog park opened, bringing many more dogs,' said one. 'The towns in the report handed out free bags; we never did,' said another. Then the plaintiffs' lawyer cried, 'Most complaints came from the north side of town!' Whitfield smiled. 'True or not, that does not say why the total failed to drop.' The judge nodded. 'Reasons that close the gap, and one that just sits there.'

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 113, Section 2, Question 17 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

State the puzzle in one line: a rule usually brings a change, but here the number stayed flat. Remember the EXCEPT: four choices close the gap and one does not. For each choice, ask whether it shows the rule was not really working here, something pushed the other way, or the numbers are not comparable. The answer is the choice that may be true but leaves you just as puzzled as before.