Logical Reasoning · Method of Argument (Criticism)

PrepTest 144 · Section 2 · Question 8

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Method of Argument (how the second speaker responds)

The one idea it tests

The reply does not deny the data; it asks whether some other difference could explain it.

The basic logic

Speaker one sees a group with a higher rate of something and names one cause. Speaker two asks whether that group differs in other ways that could produce the same result. That is a call to rule out other explanations, not an attack on the data.

Tiny words that decide it

“other”
“whether”
“cause”

Playground logic

Marcus sees that window-seat kids score lower on spelling and blames the sun's glare. Priya asks whether the window kids differ in some other way. She's saying: before you crow like the Rooster, check the other suspects.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Sunny Seat Mystery

Marcus waved the spelling quiz results. "Kids who sit by the windows scored lower than average. My conclusion: sun glare is frying their spelling brains." Priya sipped her juice box. "Hold on. Have we checked whether the window kids are different in other ways? Maybe they're the ones who chat more. Or maybe they sit there because they came late and grabbed the last seats." Marcus squinted. "You're saying the quiz is wrong?" "No," said Priya. "The scores are fine. I'm saying something else might explain them. You have to rule that out first." Lulu added on her clipboard: Other suspects: chatting, lateness, Mr. Whiskers sleeping on the window ledge. "The cat," Marcus whispered. "Very distracting."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Marcus: Kids who sit by the windows scored lower than average on spelling. So sun glare causes their low scores. Priya: Hold on. Have we checked whether the window kids differ in other ways that might lower their scores?

Priya responds to Marcus by

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Garden Gnome Effect

Mr. Whitfield presented a chart. "Your Honor, homes with garden gnomes sell for higher prices than average. Clearly, gnomes raise home values. My client, the gnome maker, deserves a reward from the housing board." Opposing counsel, Ms. Abara, rose. "Has anyone checked whether homes with gnomes also tend to have bigger yards, newer roofs, or nicer neighborhoods?" Whitfield blinked. "Are you saying my chart is wrong?" "Not at all. The prices are real. I'm saying other differences might explain them, and you haven't ruled those out." The judge nodded. "Bring me evidence on yards and roofs." Whitfield's gnome, perched on the evidence table, said nothing.

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 144, Section 2, Question 8 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Note what speaker one observed and what cause they named. Then read speaker two closely: does the reply deny the data, offer a counterexample, or ask about other factors? Describe the move in your own words before looking at choices. Match the choice that describes that move. Eliminate choices that describe a move the reply never makes.