Logical Reasoning · Flaw

PrepTest 129 · Section 2 · Question 15

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Flaw

The one idea it tests

The responder asks a question that the first speaker's own reasons already answer.

The basic logic

The first speaker gives two reasons for a policy, and one of them is directly about the very thing the responder worries about losing. The responder grants the benefits but then asks why resources should go there, acting as if that matching reason were never said. The flaw is not listening to half the patty.

Tiny words that decide it

“even if”
“but”
“not only”
“also”

Playground logic

Frankie's patty has two pieces: clinics teach goalies new saves, and they make goalies better in games. Sharon says, fine, but why give up practice time for goalies to miss practice? The second piece of Frankie's patty already answered her: missing practice makes them better at the very games practice is for.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Goalie Clinic Fuss

Frankie marched into the team huddle. "Coach should let goalies skip one practice a week to go to the goalie clinic. Clinics teach cool new saves, and they make goalies better in real games." Sharon crossed her arms. "Even if clinics are great, why should our team give up practice for goalies to miss practice?" Lulu tapped her clipboard. "Sharon, Frankie already told you why." "She did?" "She said clinics make goalies better in games. That is the whole point of practice. You asked a question her own reasons already answered." Sharon opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again. "Okay, but I still want snacks after practice." "That," said Lulu, writing, "is a totally separate argument."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Frankie: Goalies should get to skip one practice a week to attend the goalie clinic. Clinics teach new saves, and they also make goalies play better in real games. Sharon: Even if clinics help, why should our team's limited practice time be spent on goalies missing practice?

Sharon's reply is most open to which criticism?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Firefighter Training Trip

A city council member was on the stand. "The fire chief asked for paid days off so firefighters can attend a rescue training camp. She said the camp spreads new rescue methods, and it makes firefighters better at their own jobs here." Mr. Whitfield snapped his suspenders. "And your answer, sir?" "I said, even granting all that, why should our tight budget pay for firefighters to be away from the station?" Mr. Whitfield turned to the judge. "Your Honor, the chief already answered him. Time away makes them better at the very job he wants them doing. He asked a question her own reasons had settled." The judge nodded. "He heard half the speech."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 129, Section 2, Question 15 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

List each reason the first speaker gives, one per line. Then read the responder's question and ask: does any of those reasons already answer it? If one does, the flaw is ignoring part of the patty. Choose the answer that names that oversight. Cross off choices that describe moves the responder never makes.