Logical Reasoning · Principle (Justify)

PrepTest 133 · Section 2 · Question 13

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Principle (Justify)

The one idea it tests

If one option might be the best or the worst, and another is always middling, you need a rule that says avoiding disaster beats chasing glory.

The basic logic

The premises lay out the options' possible outcomes. The conclusion picks the safe, middling option. The principle you want bridges that gap: when choosing, steering clear of the worst outcome matters more than reaching the best one.

Tiny words that decide it

“better”
“best”
“worst”
“avoid”

Playground logic

Lulu notes the mystery pizza could be the best or the worst, while plain cheese is always just okay. Her top bun: pick plain cheese. The magic key she needs: avoiding the worst beats chasing the best.

Step 2 · The kid story

Kevin's Pizza Gamble

Friday was pizza night at Grandpa's, and Kevin had a choice. The new shop on the corner sold a Mystery Pizza. Some days it was the best pizza in the world. Other days it had sardines and gummy worms. Kevin shuddered. The old shop sold plain cheese that was always fine. Never amazing, never awful. Lulu checked her clipboard. "Even the kids who love Mystery Pizza say both the best and worst pizzas they ever had came from it. Plain cheese is always medium. So plain cheese is the better pick." Kevin was disappointed (no pineapple either way), but Priya agreed with Lulu. "Her reasoning only works if dodging the gummy-worm disaster matters more than hoping for the best pizza ever."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Both the best and the worst pizzas come from the Mystery Pizza shop. Plain cheese from the old shop is always just okay. So plain cheese is the better pick.

Which rule, if correct, gives the strongest backing to Lulu's reasoning?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Risky Rollercoaster

In a fictional town council case, Mr. Whitfield defended the decision to build a gentle carousel instead of a giant rollercoaster. "Your Honor, giant coasters are either the thrill of a lifetime or a total breakdown that closes the park. The carousel is always pleasant, never thrilling." The judge raised an eyebrow. "So why is pleasant better?" "Because," said Mr. Whitfield, "the council follows a simple rule: protect against the worst before reaching for the best." The judge nodded. "With that rule, the carousel wins. Without it, your argument wobbles." The park opened on time.

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 133, Section 2, Question 13 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Map the premises: which option has extreme highs and lows, and which is steady? Note which option the conclusion picks. Then look for the principle that links those premises to that choice in a general way. Test each candidate by plugging it in. If the conclusion follows cleanly, that is your key. Drop choices about who decides, or about factors the argument never mentions.