PrepTest 115 · Section 2 · Question 9 (Weaken)

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Weaken

The one idea it tests

An objection says a group lacks some skill, so giving them a role would fail. You can pop it by showing the plan itself would cure that lack.

The basic logic

Find the objector's patty (the group does not know enough) and top bun (so the plan ends badly). Look for a reply that explains WHY the group does not know enough today, in a way the plan would change.

Tiny words that decide it

“therefore”
“because”
“if true”
“counter”

Playground logic

Marcus's patty is 'second graders don't know about sun and shade,' and his top bun is 'so letting them pick is a garden disaster.' Priya doesn't argue with the patty. She explains it: the kids never learn because they never get a say, so the plan that gives them a say would fix the very problem Marcus is worried about.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Garden Plan

Lulu marched up with her clipboard. "I think the second graders should pick what we plant in the class garden this spring." Marcus folded his arms like a detective who had already solved the case. "Bad idea. Second graders don't know which plants need sun and which need shade. So if they pick, the whole garden will flop." Priya took a slow sip of her juice box. "Marcus, why don't they know about sun and shade?" He shrugged. "Because they're little?" "No," said Priya. "Because nobody ever lets them pick anything. Why study plants you'll never choose? Give them the choice, and Lulu will have a sun chart on her clipboard by lunch." Lulu was already drawing one. Marcus looked at the chart, then at his shoes. "Okay. That pops my argument."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Marcus: Second graders do not know which plants need sun and which need shade. Therefore, letting second graders choose what goes in the class garden would lead to a failed garden.

If true, which choice would do the most damage to Marcus's objection?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Apprentice Bakers

The bakery owner wanted to let her apprentices choose the weekly bread recipe. Her partner sued to stop it. "Your Honor," said his lawyer, "the apprentices know nothing about yeast. Let them choose, and we will sell bricks, not bread." Mr. Whitfield snapped his suspenders and stood. "Your Honor, ask why they know nothing about yeast. It is because nobody has ever let them choose a recipe. Why study a thing you will never get to use? My client's plan hands them that choice, and with it a reason to learn." He held up a sign-up sheet. "Three apprentices have already asked to borrow the yeast book." The judge peered over her glasses. "So the problem you're warned about is the problem the plan would fix. Motion denied."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 115, Section 2, Question 9 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Read only the objector's lines first. Mark the patty (some group lacks knowledge or skill) and the top bun (so the plan will end badly). Now ask: why does that gap exist today? The strongest counter explains the gap in a way that the plan itself would change, so the premise stops being a reason to fear the plan. Skip choices about side issues, and skip any that hand the objector new worries.