Logical Reasoning · Strengthen

PrepTest 133 · Section 2 · Question 3

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Strengthen

The one idea it tests

An argument that weighs a big up-front cost against cheaper ongoing costs gets stronger if the expensive thing doesn't last as long.

The basic logic

The argument says one option costs much more to start but less to keep running, and concludes it is not worth it. Strengthen by finding a fact that makes the up-front cost harder to earn back, such as fewer years of use to spread it over.

Tiny words that decide it

“but”
“worth it”
“sooner”

Playground logic

Lulu's patty: the refillable marker set costs way more to buy, though refills are cheaper than new markers. Her top bun: the refill set isn't worth it. If the refill set also wears out sooner, the savings have even less time to pile up, so her conclusion stands taller.

Step 2 · The kid story

Lulu Does the Marker Math

Aunt Rosa offered to buy Lulu art supplies. There was a shiny refillable marker set for forty dollars, or a plain pack of regular markers for five dollars. "Refills only cost a dollar," said the store clerk. "A new pack costs five!" Lulu tapped her clipboard. "The refill set costs eight times more to start. The refills are cheaper, sure, but I don't think the set is worth it." Kevin, who was looking at dinosaur stickers, wandered over. "My cousin had that set. The tips got squishy after two months and the whole thing was useless." Lulu wrote that down fast. "Then the savings barely have time to add up before I'd have to buy another forty dollar set," she said. "That makes my case even stronger."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Lulu: The refillable marker set is not worth buying. Refills cost much less than buying new regular packs, but the refillable set costs far more to buy in the first place than a regular pack does.

Which choice, if true, best backs up Lulu's conclusion?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Trampoline Tussle

A park board argued that a fancy steel trampoline was not worth buying. "It costs ten times more to install than a basic one," said the board's lawyer, "even though repairs on it are cheap." The trampoline seller's lawyer objected: "Cheap repairs add up to big savings over time!" Mr. Whitfield, helping the board, called one witness: a playground inspector. "How long does each one last?" he asked. "The fancy one rusts out in four years," she said. "The basic one lasts twelve." Mr. Whitfield turned to the judge. "Your Honor, savings need time to grow. Give them less time, and that giant price tag never gets paid back."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 133, Section 2, Question 3 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Find the conclusion (an option is not worth it) and the two cost pieces: a high starting cost and a lower ongoing cost. Ask what decides whether the ongoing savings could ever make up for the start. The best strengthener makes it harder for those savings to catch up, for example by giving them less time to add up. Check each choice by asking which way it tips the scale, since some will quietly help the other side.