Logical Reasoning · Most Strongly Supported

PrepTest 116 · Section 2 · Question 14

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Most Strongly Supported

The one idea it tests

If two signs together make a claim likely, then when the claim is false, both signs together are unlikely.

The basic logic

The argument says: either sign alone fits the opposite story, but both signs together make the conclusion probable. Work the logic backward like a contrapositive with 'likely' attached: if the conclusion is false, the pair of signs together should be unlikely. Watch for answers that use only one sign or that flip direction.

Tiny words that decide it

“either”
“both”
“together”
“probably”

Playground logic

Lulu's patty: Tommy skipped dessert, and he is flopped on the couch. Either alone could happen on a normal day, but both together make 'Tommy is sick' probable. So if Tommy is feeling fine, it is unlikely that both happened at once.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Dessert Clue

Lulu had her clipboard out. "Tommy is probably sick," she announced. "Clue one: he skipped dessert. Clue two: he's been lying on the couch all afternoon." Marcus scoffed. "Skipping dessert means nothing. Maybe he's full." "True," said Lulu. "And lying on the couch alone means nothing. Maybe he's tired. Either clue by itself fits a healthy Tommy. But both together? That's rare for a healthy Tommy. So he's probably sick." Priya nodded. "Which also means: if Tommy is actually fine, it would be strange for both clues to show up at once." From the couch, Tommy groaned. "I ate all my Halloween candy at lunch." Lulu crossed something out. "Updated diagnosis: probably sick, definitely sneaky."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Lulu: Tommy is probably sick. He skipped dessert, and he has been lying on the couch all afternoon. Either of these alone would fit with Tommy being well. But both together make it likely that he is sick.

Which inference does Lulu's reasoning most strongly support?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Two Footprints

A gardener accused his neighbor of trampling his tulips. His lawyer said, "Two clues, Your Honor. Muddy boots by the neighbor's door. And a torn tulip petal on the neighbor's porch. Muddy boots alone? Lots of people garden. A petal alone? Wind blows petals. But both together make it likely the neighbor did it." Mr. Whitfield, for the neighbor, nodded. "I accept that logic. And notice what it also means. If my client is innocent, it would be unlikely to find both clues at his door. So the question is whether both were truly there." He held up a photo. The boots were spotless. The judge frowned. "One clue down. Proceed."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 116, Section 2, Question 14 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Find the conclusion and the two facts behind it. Note the key move: each fact alone is weak, but the pair makes the conclusion likely. Now look for the answer that runs this backward, keeping both facts paired and keeping the 'likely' strength. Reject answers that lean on one fact alone, reverse the direction without negating, or upgrade 'probably' to a sure thing.