Logical Reasoning · Paradox

PrepTest 116 · Section 2 · Question 10

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Paradox

The one idea it tests

When more helpers lead to a worse result, look for a way the helpers also use up the shared supply.

The basic logic

Two facts seem to clash: more helpers should mean a better outcome, yet fewer helpers made the outcome better. Run the Handshake Test: the right answer lets both facts shake hands. Look for a cost that each extra helper brings, especially one that shrinks a fixed supply.

Tiny words that decide it

“however”
“both”
“should”
“since”

Playground logic

Lulu's puzzle: two helpers should mean bigger clay statues, but tables with one helper ended up with bigger statues. The handshake: helpers make their own little figures from the same box, so each extra helper eats into the clay.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Shrinking Clay Box

In art class, Ms. Rivera gave each table one box of clay. The second graders were sculpting animals. Two fifth graders sat at most tables to help. "Two helpers means twice the help," said Marcus. "Those tables will make the biggest animals." But at the end of class, Lulu checked her clipboard. The tables with only one helper had the biggest animals. Marcus scratched his head. "That's backwards!" Priya pointed at the fifth graders. Nadia had made herself a clay dragon. Owen had made a clay pizza with clay pepperoni. "Helpers sculpt too," Priya said. "From the same box. The longer they sit there, the more clay they use. Two helpers, two dragons, less clay for the kids." Lulu wrote it down. "Mystery solved."

Step 3 · Try the model question

At each art table, the second graders share one box of clay. Fifth-grade helpers sit with them, and more help should mean better work. Yet tables that had just one helper ended class with larger sculptures than tables that had two.

Which statement, if true, does the most to explain the surprising result?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Bake Sale Mystery

Two bakers sued each other over a school bake sale. "Our booth had two volunteers," said one. "The booth next door had just one. Yet they raised more money. Somebody cheated!" Mr. Whitfield rose and adjusted his suspenders. "Your Honor, nobody cheated. Two helpers should sell more, true. But I have a witness." A small boy stood up. "The volunteers kept eating the cookies," he said. "All day. Both of them." Mr. Whitfield nodded. "Each volunteer took from the same tray. Two volunteers, two snackers, fewer cookies to sell. Both facts fit." The judge brushed crumbs from his robe. "Case dismissed."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 116, Section 2, Question 10 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Write down the two clashing facts: what more helpers should do, and what fewer helpers actually did. Then run the Handshake Test on each choice. The winner must give a reason why an extra helper makes the outcome worse, not just explain one side. Look for a cost each helper adds to a shared, limited supply. Toss choices that would make the extra helper look even more useful.