Logical Reasoning · Paradox

PrepTest 142 · Section 2 · Question 19

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Paradox (explain a trend, EXCEPT)

The one idea it tests

Four answers each give a reason the trend could happen. The odd one out gives no reason, or pushes the other way.

The basic logic

Pin down the trend: one thing holds steady while a related response shrinks. Each wrong answer is a pressure that would make the response shrink. The correct answer offers a pressure that would keep the response going or make it grow.

Tiny words that decide it

“EXCEPT”
“as often”
“less likely”
“however”

Playground logic

Biscuit barks as often as ever, yet Mr. Whiskers bolts less and less. Four answers hand us a reason the cat calms down. The winner is the Saboteur: a fact that should make the cat run more, not less.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Cat Who Stopped Running

Lulu keeps a clipboard of everything Biscuit does. Her findings: Biscuit barks at the mail carrier just as much as he did last spring. Same time, same volume, same silly tail wag. But Mr. Whiskers, who used to shoot under the couch at every bark, now runs less and less. Some days he just yawns. "Why?" asked Tommy. Priya listed ideas. Maybe the old cat's hearing is fading. Maybe he figured out Biscuit stays behind the gate. Maybe Grandpa started giving treats to a cat who stays put. Kevin raised his hand. "Maybe it's because Biscuit's barks are getting louder!" Everyone stared. "Kevin," said Lulu gently, "louder barks would make him run MORE." Kevin thought about it. "Okay, that one goes in the reject pile."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Biscuit barks at the mail carrier as often as he did last year. Yet Mr. Whiskers has become less and less likely to run and hide when Biscuit barks.

Each of these, if true, would help explain the change in the cat's behavior EXCEPT:

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Quiet Bell

"Your Honor," said Mr. Whitfield, "the school bell rings as often as ever. Yet fewer students rush the hallway each year. The principal asks why." Judge Lark nodded. "Give me reasons." A witness offered: hallway monitors now hand out stars for walking. Another: a new clock shows the exact minute, so nobody panics. A third: the lockers were moved closer to classrooms. Then the opposing lawyer said, "The bell has been made twice as loud." The judge chuckled. "Counselor, a louder bell would cause more rushing, not less. The first three explain the calm. Yours explains a stampede."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 142, Section 2, Question 19 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

State the trend in one line: what stays the same and what is shrinking. Test each answer: would this fact make the shrinking response more likely? Mark each one that does as an explainer. The answer to pick is the one that gives no push toward the trend, or pushes the opposite way by making the response more attractive. Do not reject an answer just because it sounds odd; ask only whether it explains.