Logical Reasoning · Evaluate

PrepTest 138 · Section 2 · Question 2

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Evaluate

The one idea it tests

When an argument leans on a definition, ask which version of a key word the definition really means.

The basic logic

The argument quotes a rule, then shows a case meets the rule using one reading of a key term. If the term could point to a different reference point, the conclusion swings. The question to ask is the one that tells you which reading the rule uses.

Tiny words that decide it

“defined as”
“so”
“than”

Playground logic

Marcus says Nadia was late because she came in after the bell. The top bun (she was late) rests on a hidden sauce: that 'the bell' in the rule means the bell he heard. If the rule means a different bell, the burger falls apart, so the key question is which bell the rule means.

Step 2 · The kid story

Which Bell, Marcus?

Ms. Rivera's class rule says: 'Late means walking in after the bell.' On Tuesday Nadia walked in after the gym bell rang but before the classroom bell rang. Marcus pounced. 'Nadia came in after the bell. The rule says that is late. Case closed, detective style.' Lulu tapped her clipboard. 'Which bell?' Marcus blinked. 'The bell. The one that rang.' Priya sipped her juice box. 'Our school has two bells. If the rule means the classroom bell, Nadia was on time. If it means the gym bell, she was late. Marcus picked one bell and acted like the rule picked it too.' Kevin raised his hand. 'Do dinosaurs have bells?' Ms. Rivera laughed. 'The rule means the classroom bell. Nadia, you are fine.'

Step 3 · Try the model question

Marcus: Our class rule says a student is late if the student walks in after the bell. Nadia walked in after the gym bell rang. So Nadia was late.

Knowing the answer to which one of the following would most help in judging Marcus's argument?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Two Clocks

Mr. Whitfield faced Judge Okoro. 'Your Honor, the parking rule says a car is overdue if it stays past closing time. My client's car stayed past the closing time of the bakery next door. So, says the city, it was overdue.' He hooked his thumbs in his suspenders. 'But the lot belongs to the library, and the library closes two hours later. The rule never says whose closing time it means.' The judge frowned at the city lawyer. 'Counsel, before I rule, I need one fact: which closing time does this rule refer to?' The city lawyer flipped pages. The rule meant the library.

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 138, Section 2, Question 2 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Find the definition the argument quotes and the case it says fits the definition. Circle the key term inside the definition. Ask whether that term could point to more than one thing, such as two different places, times or groups. Then run the Seesaw Test on each choice: one answer should make the conclusion stand, the other should knock it down. Pick the choice that settles which meaning the definition uses. Bystanders that leave the conclusion standing either way are out.