PrepTest 113 · Section 2 · Question 8 (Paradox)

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Paradox (EXCEPT)

The one idea it tests

Four choices explain why the favored group does worse; the odd one out fails the Handshake Test.

The basic logic

Two facts seem to clash: a trait is prized, yet people with that trait do worse at one outcome. Each helping choice gives a reason the prized group is slower or the other group faster. The answer is the one that does not explain the rate, for example by talking about how many people are in a group instead of how fast each succeeds.

Tiny words that decide it

“yet”
“EXCEPT”
“less likely”

Playground logic

Everyone says they want gentle dogs, yet gentle dogs at the shelter wait longer for homes than rowdy ones. Four reasons shake hands with both facts; the odd one out just talks about something that does not change who gets picked.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Shelter Surprise

Aunt Rosa volunteers at the animal shelter. She told the lunch table a puzzle. 'Every family who walks in says they want a gentle, calm dog. But our gentle dogs wait longer to get adopted than our wild, jumpy ones!' Marcus scratched his head. 'That makes no sense. Families must be lying.' Priya sipped her juice box. 'Maybe not. Maybe the gentle dogs hide in the back of their kennels, so visitors walk right past them.' Nadia added, 'Or the gentle dogs are mostly older, and families want puppies.' Lulu wrote fast. 'Or the gentle dogs are big breeds, and most families have tiny yards.' Kevin said, 'Do they eat the same food?' Priya laughed. 'Yes, but that doesn't explain anything, Kevin.' Biscuit, a jumpy dog himself, agreed loudly.

Step 3 · Try the model question

Families visiting a shelter almost always say they want a calm, gentle dog. Yet at that shelter, gentle dogs take longer on average to be adopted than rowdy dogs do.

Each choice, if true, helps explain the puzzle above EXCEPT:

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Unpicked Pies

Judge Hana Blue frowned at the bake sale ledger. 'Everyone says they love plain apple pie. Yet apple pies sold slower than the wild rainbow pies. Explain.' Mr. Whitfield stood, suspenders snapping. 'Your Honor, apple pies sat on a back table in the shade. Rainbow pies were right by the door. Also, apple pies came only in giant sizes, too big for most families.' The opposing lawyer offered one more: 'Both kinds were baked in the same oven.' The judge chuckled. 'The table and the size explain the puzzle. The oven? That shakes hands with nothing. It's the odd one out.'

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 113, Section 2, Question 8 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

State the paradox in one line: a trait is wanted, yet people with it do worse on a certain outcome. Remember the stem says EXCEPT, so four choices will resolve it. Test each: does it give a reason the favored group is slower, or the other group faster, per person? Watch for a choice that talks about the size of a group rather than each member's chances. That kind of choice does not explain a rate, so it is the odd one out.