Logical Reasoning · Principle

PrepTest 113 · Section 3 · Question 22

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Principle

The one idea it tests

The argument refuses a richer, hidden-meaning reading because there is no evidence anyone meant it, so its rule is: no evidence of the intended reading, no hidden-meaning reading.

The basic logic

Find the trigger (no evidence the maker intended the special reading) and the outcome (stick with the plain reading). The matching principle links exactly that trigger to exactly that outcome. Watch for rules that are too broad or that name a different trigger.

Tiny words that decide it

“since”
“no evidence”
“should”

Playground logic

Marcus says Biscuit's holes in the yard make a treasure map, which would be amazing. But there is zero sign Biscuit meant a map, so Priya says treat them as plain holes. The rule underneath: without evidence of what was intended, skip the secret reading.

Step 2 · The kid story

Biscuit's Treasure Map

Biscuit dug seven holes in Grandpa's backyard. Marcus stood over them with a magnifying glass. 'On the surface, these are just dog holes,' he said. 'But if you look at them as a treasure map, they point straight to the old oak tree. That would make Biscuit the smartest dog in history!' Priya sipped her juice box. 'Fun idea. But did Biscuit mean to make a map? He did not bury anything. He did not look at the tree. He just dug and then took a nap.' Grandpa chuckled. 'No sign the dog meant it, so let us just call them holes and fill them in.' Biscuit, still napping, did not argue.

Step 3 · Try the model question

Biscuit's holes look like ordinary dog holes. Seen as a treasure map, they would be exciting and clever. But there is no sign that Biscuit meant them as a map. So we should treat them as ordinary holes.

Which one of the following rules best fits the reasoning above?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Painted Fence

A town fence had stripes in an odd pattern. A citizen insisted it was a secret message from the painter about the mayor. Judge Hal Moreno listened, then asked, 'Did the painter leave any notes? Say anything? Do anything that suggests a message?' The citizen admitted there was nothing. Mr. Whitfield tugged his suspenders. 'Your Honor, a secret message would make the fence far more interesting. But with no sign the painter meant one, we should treat it as a fence with stripes.' The judge agreed. 'Without evidence of intent, no secret readings. The fence is just a fence.'

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 113, Section 3, Question 22 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Find the conclusion: which reading the author settles on. Then find the reason: what evidence is missing. Write a quick rule: when this is missing, do that. Choose the principle that matches both halves. Cross off rules that always favor one kind of reading, rules that name a different kind of evidence, and rules so broad they cover far more than the argument needs.