Logical Reasoning · Most Strongly Supported

PrepTest 117 · Section 2 · Question 2

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Inference (Most Strongly Supported)

The one idea it tests

Stay inside the lunchbox: pick the modest claim the facts already back up, often with a softening word.

The basic logic

The passage says one option is often used when another would work just as well, and the other is cheaper and gentler. The safe inference is a 'sometimes' claim combining those facts. Reject anything that says 'all', 'always', 'should', or compares to the past.

Tiny words that decide it

“sometimes”
“commonly”
“as effective”
“less”

Playground logic

Ms. Rivera's lunchbox holds three facts: kids often grab a full poster board when a half sheet would work just as well, and the half sheet is cheaper and less messy. The Spoiler Test answer just snaps those together: sometimes an equally good choice exists that is cheaper and less messy. Nothing more.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Poster Board Pile

Ms. Rivera stood next to a mountain of giant poster boards. "Class, many of you grab a whole poster board for your book reports when half a sheet would do the job just as well. A half sheet costs less. It also makes less mess, because there is less glue and glitter to spread around." Kevin raised his hand. "So poster boards are evil and should be banned forever?" "I did not say that," said Ms. Rivera. Lulu wrote on her clipboard: Sometimes a smaller choice works just as well and is cheaper and tidier. Marcus said, "So half sheets are the best choice for every project ever." Lulu shook her head. "She said many book reports. Not every project. Stay in the lunchbox, Marcus."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Ms. Rivera: Many students use a full poster board for book reports when half a sheet would work just as well. Besides costing less, a half sheet creates less mess, since there is less room to spread glue and glitter.

Ms. Rivera's statements best back up which one of these claims?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Overpacked Moving Truck

A moving company was on trial for wasting money. The witness, a dispatcher, testified: "We often send our biggest truck when a small van would carry the load just as well. The van costs less, and it is easier to park on narrow streets." Mr. Whitfield leapt up. "So the big truck is worse than every vehicle on earth!" Judge Okafor sighed. "Counselor, the witness said 'often' and named one alternative. All her words support is this: sometimes a cheaper, easier option does the job just as well." Mr. Whitfield sat back down. "Fine, Your Honor. Sometimes." "Sometimes," the judge agreed, "is all you get."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 117, Section 2, Question 2 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

List the facts: one option is often used when another would work equally well, and that other option has listed advantages. Do not add anything. Run the Spoiler Test on each choice: would a reader who only knew these facts be forced to accept it? Cross out claims that say all, never, or should, claims about change over time, and claims adding new costs or reasons. The winner is a soft, 'sometimes' version of the facts snapped together.