Logical Reasoning · Strengthen

PrepTest 145 · 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

Strengthen

The one idea it tests

A causal claim built on timing gets stronger when you show HOW the cause does its job.

The basic logic

The conclusion says one thing made a skill possible. The evidence is timing plus a group that struggles without it. Look for the missing mechanism: a fact showing the proposed cause actually lowers the cost or raises the payoff.

Tiny words that decide it

“likely”
“made possible”
“after all”

Playground logic

Owen says the glue gun is what lets the class finish big art projects in a short art period. His patty is timing (big projects showed up with the glue gun) plus the paste-only kids falling behind. The best helper shows how the glue gun saves time: paste needs forever to dry.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Glue Gun Theory

Ms. Rivera's class is famous for building giant cardboard castles during one short art period. Other classes manage maybe a cardboard shoebox. Owen has a theory. "It was the glue gun," he announced. "We started building huge castles the same month Ms. Rivera brought in the glue gun. And look at Marcus's table. They insist on using only paste, and they never finish anything." Marcus folded his arms. "Paste is classic." Priya pointed out the gap. "Your theory needs a reason the glue gun saves time. Same month could be a coincidence." Owen grinned and pulled out a stopwatch. "Paste has to sit and dry for ten minutes before you can stack the next wall. Hot glue sets in ten seconds." Priya nodded. "Now the theory has gears."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Owen: Our class builds huge projects in a short art period. The glue gun probably made this possible. We started building big projects the same month it arrived, and the table that uses only paste rarely finishes.

Which choice, if correct, gives Owen's argument the biggest boost?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Speedy Bakery Bridge

"Your Honor," said Mr. Whitfield, "the town finished its new footbridge in a record three weeks. My client's quick-set cement is what made that possible. The fast building started the very season the town switched to it, and the neighboring town, still on old cement, needed three months." The judge raised an eyebrow. "Same season is not proof, counselor." Whitfield smiled and handed over a lab report. "Old cement must cure for ten days before the next layer goes on. My client's cement cures overnight." The judge read it twice. "Now you have shown me how the cement saves the time, not just when it showed up. That carries real weight."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 145, 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 top bun: one factor made a skill or result possible. List the patty: timing evidence and a comparison group that struggles. Ask what is missing: a reason the factor would actually produce the result. Look for the answer that supplies that mechanism, showing the factor lowers the effort or cost involved. Avoid answers that make both options equal, answers about side topics, and answers that hand the credit to something else.