Logical Reasoning · Inference (Cannot Be True)

PrepTest 124 · 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

Inference: find the one that must be false

The one idea it tests

Four choices are allowed by the rules; one breaks a rule outright.

The basic logic

Turn the 'always' statement into an arrow. Then hunt for the choice that has the arrow's trigger without its result. The 'usually' statement is soft, so nothing that bends it can be impossible.

Tiny words that decide it

“always”
“usually”
“EXCEPT”
“possible”

Playground logic

Grandpa's rule is an arrow: juggles three balls, then in the circus club. The lessons fact only says 'usually,' so it can bend. The only impossible story is a kid who juggles three balls and stays outside the club, because that snaps the arrow.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Circus Club Arrow

Grandpa runs the after-school circus club, and he has one firm rule. "Every kid who can juggle three balls is in my club. Every single one, no exceptions." He also says his Saturday juggling lessons usually come with better balance. Marcus, wearing his detective hat, starts listing what might be true. "Maybe Lulu took the lessons and still wobbles like jelly." Priya sips her juice box. "Sure, 'usually' leaves room for that." "Maybe some club kids have never taken a lesson." "Also fine. The rule only runs one way." Then Marcus says, "Maybe Kevin juggles three balls but skipped the club for dinosaur camp." Priya shakes her head. "Nope. Juggling three balls puts you in the club. That one cannot happen." Marcus scribbles it out. "Arrow wins again."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Every kid who can juggle three balls is in the circus club. Also, taking Grandpa's juggling lessons is usually followed by better balance.

Given the facts listed, which choice is impossible?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Missing Badge

Mr. Whitfield snaps his suspenders. "Your Honor, the town rule says every licensed kite flier wears a green badge. Always." The judge nods. Opposing counsel lists possibilities. "Some badge wearers have no license?" "Could be," says Mr. Whitfield. "The rule runs one way." "Kite classes usually improve aim, yet one student aims badly?" "Could be. Usually is not always." Then the witness says, "I saw a licensed flier with no badge at all." Mr. Whitfield turns to the jury. "That is the one story the rule forbids. If the rule stands, that sighting cannot be right." The judge taps the gavel. "Only one claim here is impossible. Noted."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 124, Section 2, Question 10 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Find the statement that uses an absolute word and write it as an arrow. Mark the softer 'usually' statement as bendable, since nothing that merely bends it is impossible. Now test each choice: does it put the arrow's trigger together with the opposite of its result? That is your answer. Pick the single choice that breaks the arrow.