Logical Reasoning · Most Strongly Supported

PrepTest 124 · Section 2 · Question 6

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

When an argument ends with a modest factual example, the best-supported answer is often a careful, softened version of that example, not a sweeping claim about the main debate.

The basic logic

The passage reports a view, rejects it in favor of a different main purpose, then adds a supporting fact about how rules are sometimes applied. The lunchbox holds that last fact, so a mild statement that rules are applied with attention to people's personal circumstances is safe. Answers that say the rules have no other purpose, or that tell us what is best, are Megaphones.

Tiny words that decide it

“some argue”
“primary”
“sometimes”
“regardless”

Playground logic

Some say league rules exist to teach sportsmanship (the rival view). The coach says their main job is keeping games flowing. Then: referees have sometimes let a player bend a rule because of their personal situation. The Lunchbox Rule picks the quiet fact: how rules are applied sometimes depends on the player.

Step 2 · The kid story

Rules of the Soccer League

At the end-of-season party, Frankie and Sharon started debating, as usual. 'The league rules are there to teach us good sportsmanship,' said Sharon. Frankie disagreed. 'Their main job is keeping the game moving so everybody can play together. Sportsmanship or not.' He pointed at Owen. 'Remember when Owen had a cast? The referee let him wear a different shoe, even though the rule says everyone wears cleats. And the time Nadia's glasses broke, she got to wear goggles.' Marcus jumped in. 'So the rules have nothing to do with sportsmanship!' 'I never said that,' said Frankie. Lulu wrote on her clipboard. 'What we know for sure: sometimes the way a rule gets used depends on the player's situation.' Priya sipped her juice box. 'That one is safe.'

Step 3 · Try the model question

Some say the soccer league's rules exist partly to teach sportsmanship. But the main job of the rules is to keep games moving so everyone can play together, whatever else they aim at. Indeed, referees have sometimes let a player skip a rule because of that player's personal situation.

Which choice is most firmly backed by these statements?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Library Late Fee

In a fictional town hall hearing, a resident argued that the library's late-fee rule exists to teach responsibility. The librarian's lawyer replied, 'Its main job is keeping books moving so every reader gets a turn, whatever else it teaches. Indeed, the head librarian has waived fees for patrons recovering from surgery.' Mr. Whitfield, asked to sum up, chose his words carefully. 'Your Honor, I will not claim the rule teaches nothing. I will claim only this: the way the rule is applied sometimes depends on a patron's circumstances.' Judge Park nodded. 'Modest and supported. Well done.'

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 124, Section 2, Question 6 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Separate the voices: the view that is rejected, the author's main claim, and the supporting example at the end. Apply the Lunchbox Rule and the Spoiler Test: which choice must hold given the stated facts? Favor a softened statement drawn from the concrete example. Reject choices that wipe out a purpose completely, promise a general tendency, or prescribe what should happen.