Logical Reasoning · Strengthen
PrepTest 113 · Section 2 · Question 6
Phase 1 (your first ~400 questions): read the guidance, then answer. No clock.
Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first
- “because”
- “all”
- “assured”
Playground logic
Tommy says other lemonade stands grade their own lemonade, so they brag. His stand has written ratings, so you get a fair cup. But writing it down does not stop bragging. The secret sauce is that someone else, with no stake, writes the rating.
Step 2 · The kid story
Tommy's Five-Star Lemonade
Tommy painted a big sign: 'Every Cup RATED IN WRITING!' Nadia squinted. 'What does that mean?' Tommy puffed up. 'At Marcus's stand, Marcus tells you how good his lemonade is. Of course he says it's amazing. He wants your quarter! But here, every pitcher gets a written rating card. So you know you're getting a fair deal.' Lulu tapped her clipboard. 'Who writes the cards?' Tommy paused. 'Um. Me.' Priya sipped her juice box. 'Then a card is just you bragging with a pencil. Your plan only works if someone with no quarter to gain writes it.' Tommy brightened. 'What if Ms. Rivera tastes and writes them?' 'Then I'll believe the stars,' said Priya. Biscuit gave the lemonade two paws up.
Step 3 · Try the model question
Tommy: At most lemonade stands, the kid grading the lemonade is the kid selling it, so the grade may be too high. But every pitcher at my stand comes with a written rating card, so you can trust you are paying a fair price.
Which choice, if true, most strengthens Tommy's reasoning?
Step 4 · The courtroom tale
The Case of the Shiny Bicycle
A bike shop owner, Mr. Penn, took the stand. 'Most shops let the salesperson rate the bike, so naturally they say it's in perfect shape. My bikes all come with a written inspection report, so customers get a fair price.' Judge Lena Holt looked skeptical. 'And who writes the report?' Mr. Whitfield stood, suspenders and all. 'Your Honor, I present Ms. Kim, from the Valley Bike Safety Club. She inspects every bike and gets paid the same whether it sells or not.' Ms. Kim nodded. The judge relaxed. 'An outside inspector with nothing to gain. Now the written report means something. Claim supported.'
Step 5 · Work the real question
Open PrepTest 113, Section 2, Question 6 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.
Your answer
How to apply it
Spot the problem the argument raises: the person judging the item gains from a high rating. Then see the fix: the rating is put in writing. Ask what the fix still needs to solve the problem. Writing alone does not remove bias; the rater must be someone without a stake. Pick the choice that shows the rating comes from an outside party. Skip choices about the experience of raters, the item's quality, or how other sellers act.