Logical Reasoning · Strengthen EXCEPT

PrepTest 124 · Section 2 · Question 19

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Strengthen (EXCEPT)

The one idea it tests

A comparison argument says an option is a better deal for one group than another, because the second group pays extra costs. Four answers help that comparison; one does nothing.

The basic logic

Find the two groups and the extra burden only one group carries. Helpers either make that burden bigger for the burdened group or make the option easier for the favored group. The odd one out leaves the gap between the groups unchanged.

Tiny words that decide it

“EXCEPT”
“rather than”
“generally”
“more”

Playground logic

Tommy's patty is that the corner store is cheaper, but away fans must hunt for it and walk far. His top bun says the store is a better deal for home fans. Any fact that widens that home-versus-away gap helps; a fact about chip flavors changes nothing.

Step 2 · The kid story

Tommy's Snack Strategy

At the big basketball game, Tommy announced his discovery. "The corner store sells candy for half the price of the stadium snack stand." Priya sipped her juice box. "So everyone should buy there?" "Not everyone," Tommy said. "The fans from the other school don't know where the store is. They'd have to ask around, then walk six blocks and back. So the corner store is a better deal for us home fans than for them." Marcus squinted. "What helps your case?" Lulu flipped her clipboard. "Anything that makes it harder for visitors, or easier for us. If visitors get lost on strange streets, that helps. If home fans walk past the store anyway, that helps." Tommy grinned. "And if the store has twelve chip flavors?" "That helps nobody," said Lulu.

Step 3 · Try the model question

Tommy: Candy at the corner store costs less than candy at the stadium snack stand. But visiting fans would have to find out where the store is and then make a long walk to get there. So buying at the corner store instead of the snack stand is usually a better deal for home fans than for visiting fans.

Each choice below would back up Tommy's argument EXCEPT:

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Farmers' Market Coupons

A town handed out coupons for its farmers' market and claimed they were worth more to residents than to weekend visitors. A visitor sued, saying the claim was unfair. Mr. Whitfield explained, "Your Honor, the market is cheaper. But visitors must first learn when it runs, then drive across town on Saturday morning." Judge Lin asked each side to bring facts. The town showed that the market sits next to the main neighborhood. "Helps," said the judge. It showed visitors' hotels are far away. "Helps." Then the town's lawyer proudly added that the market sells forty kinds of apples. The judge sighed. "Lovely. Residents and visitors get the same forty apples. That does not change who benefits more."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 124, Section 2, Question 19 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Name the two groups and the extra burden that falls on only one of them. Then test each choice: does it make the option more costly for the burdened group, or easier for the favored group? Those four help. The answer you want is the one that affects both groups the same way, or that compares things the argument never compared, so the gap between the groups stays exactly where it was.