Logical Reasoning · Inference

PrepTest 142 · 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

Inference

The one idea it tests

Fill in the blank with what the passage's logic sets up, at the strength it sets up, no stronger and no weaker.

The basic logic

The passage says one kind of solution is often the only practical way to meet a need, so it is unsurprising if unrelated groups end up with it. The blank finishes 'they share needs, so they ___.' The right fill matches the point (similar solutions) and the hedge (often, not always).

Tiny words that decide it

“often”
“after all”
“so”

Playground logic

Frankie points out that schools have the same basic needs and there is often only one good fix, so it is no surprise when unrelated schools build the same thing. The blank must finish with 'they will often end up with similar fixes,' not 'every one builds a porch.'

Step 2 · The kid story

Frankie and the Porches

Frankie and Sharon were biking past schools across three towns. "Look," said Frankie. "Big school, tiny school, school by the lake: they all have a covered porch by the door." Sharon frowned. "They didn't copy each other. They don't even know each other." "Exactly," said Frankie. "Every school needs to keep kids dry at pickup, and a roof over the door is often the only sensible way to do that. So of course different schools land on the same answer." Sharon, who hated losing debates, tried anyway. "So EVERY school in the world has a porch?" "Nope," said Frankie. "Just that schools with the same needs will often build similar fixes." Sharon pedaled ahead, which meant she agreed.

Step 3 · Try the model question

Often one design is the only practical way to keep kids dry at pickup, so it should not surprise us that unrelated schools build covered porches. After all, whatever their size or location, schools have the same basic needs, and so schools ___.

Which one of the following best completes the passage?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Identical Ramps Hearing

A builder was accused of stealing a rival's wheelchair ramp design. Mr. Whitfield argued: "Your Honor, for a gentle slope at that height, there is often only one practical shape. Builders who never met face the same need, so they will often end up with similar ramps." The rival's lawyer jumped up. "So he admits every ramp everywhere is identical!" "I said often and similar," Mr. Whitfield replied. "Not every and identical." The judge nodded. "Matching solutions to shared needs are not proof of copying." Case dismissed, gently, at a comfortable slope.

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 142, Section 2, Question 15 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Read the passage and say its point in one line before looking at choices. Note the hedges ('often', 'a number of') and what idea the blank must complete (shared needs lead to what?). Pick the choice that finishes that thought at the same strength. Cross off choices that are too absolute, too vague to make the point, about a different topic, or that contradict what the passage says about the groups.