Logical Reasoning · Inference

PrepTest 136 · Section 2 · Question 14

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Inference

The one idea it tests

Combine an 'only' rule with a 'most' fact to find a guaranteed 'some' overlap.

The basic logic

'Only members of group G enter event X' means every entrant is in G. 'Most X winners also won at event Y' means at least one X winner won at Y. That winner is in G, so at least one Y winner is in G. Stick to 'some'; anything bigger breaks the Lunchbox Rule.

Tiny words that decide it

“only”
“most”
“some”
“at least one”

Playground logic

Only second graders play in the Hopscotch Cup, and most Cup winners also won ribbons at the town fair. So at least one fair ribbon winner is a second grader, just like Lulu. The lunchbox holds a 'some', not a 'most.'

Step 2 · The kid story

Ribbons for Second Graders

Lulu came home with a hopscotch ribbon. "Only second graders are allowed in the Hopscotch Cup," she told Grandpa. "And this year, most of the kids who won ribbons at the Cup also won ribbons at the town fair." Grandpa stroked his chin. "So what do we know for sure?" Marcus jumped in. "Most fair ribbons went to second graders!" Lulu shook her head. "We don't know that. The fair might have handed out hundreds of ribbons." Priya opened her juice box. "Here's the safe one. Every Cup winner is a second grader. Most Cup winners also won at the fair. So at least one fair winner is a second grader." Grandpa beamed. "Small claim, totally safe. That's what 'must be true' looks like." Marcus muttered, "Small claims are boring." "Boring and correct," said Lulu.

Step 3 · Try the model question

Only second graders may compete in the Hopscotch Cup. This year, most kids who won ribbons at the Hopscotch Cup also won ribbons at the town fair.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Pie Medals

At the County Pie Trial, lawyer Mabel Stone argued, "Only bakers from Maple Street may enter the Maple Pie Bake-Off. Most Bake-Off medalists also won medals at the State Fair. Therefore most State Fair medals went to Maple Street!" Mr. Whitfield stood, thumbs under his suspenders. "Your Honor, the State Fair is enormous. We can't say 'most.' But we can say this: every Bake-Off medalist lives on Maple Street, and at least one of them won at the State Fair. So some State Fair medalist lives on Maple Street. That's all." Judge Ortiz nodded. "Small, but guaranteed. I'll accept that." Ms. Stone sighed into her pie.

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 136, Section 2, Question 14 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Translate the 'only' sentence into 'every member of the event is in the group.' Translate 'most' into 'at least one, actually more than half.' Chain them: at least one winner of the first event is in the group and also won elsewhere. Predict a modest 'some' statement. Then check each choice with the Spoiler Test: could the facts be true while the choice is false? If yes, cross it off.