Logical Reasoning · Strengthen (EXCEPT)

PrepTest 150 · Section 2 · Question 13

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Strengthen (EXCEPT)

The one idea it tests

When an argument picks one route over another, four choices will favor the picked route or hurt the rival; the odd one out just sits there.

The basic logic

The conclusion says something probably happened by route one rather than route two. Strengtheners show route one was easy or likely, or route two was hard. The answer is the choice that leaves the seesaw level: it fits both routes equally or neither.

Tiny words that decide it

“rather than”
“likely”
“EXCEPT”

Playground logic

Lulu's top bun: Mr. Whiskers probably reached the top shelf by climbing the curtain, not by leaping from the floor. Her patty: climbing needs only the small skills a kitten has, a step on the way to big jumps. Four choices push toward the curtain, and the EXCEPT answer is a fact that does not care which way he went up.

Step 2 · The kid story

How Did Mr. Whiskers Get Up There?

Mr. Whiskers was sitting on the very top bookshelf, looking proud. Tommy was amazed. "He must have jumped straight up from the floor!" Lulu shook her head and studied her clipboard. "I think he probably climbed the curtain next to the shelf. A kitten doesn't need big jumping muscles to climb a curtain. Just little claws. Climbing comes first, and big jumps come later, once a cat grows." Tommy wanted proof. Lulu listed clues. The curtain had fresh claw marks all the way up. Kittens who try huge jumps usually tumble. Grandpa saw Mr. Whiskers climb the hallway curtain yesterday. And there was orange fur stuck at the top of the curtain. "Also, he likes napping up there," Tommy added. Lulu smiled. "True, but that doesn't tell us how he got there."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Lulu: Mr. Whiskers most likely reached the top shelf by climbing the curtain, not by leaping up from the floor. Climbing a curtain takes only small claw skills, which young cats have. Those skills are an early step toward the strong legs needed for big leaps.

Each answer below, if accurate, adds support to Lulu's argument EXCEPT:

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Case of the Rooftop Kite

A kite was found on the school roof. "Your Honor," said Mr. Whitfield, "my client says the kite probably blew up there from the playground, rather than being tossed from a window." He listed his evidence. The wind that day blew straight toward the roof. The windows on that side are painted shut. The kite string had playground sand on it. A teacher saw kites drifting toward the roof all afternoon. The other lawyer stood. "Also, the roof is painted blue." The judge sighed. "That's true, counselor, but a blue roof fits either story. It doesn't help anyone." Mr. Whitfield smiled. "That's the one that doesn't belong."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 150, Section 2, Question 13 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Pin down the two routes: the one the conclusion picks and the rival it rejects. Note the reason given for the picked route. Now go through each choice and ask: does this make the picked route easier or likelier, or make the rival harder? Mark those as strengtheners. The answer is the one fact that fits both routes the same way, so it moves nothing. Be careful with facts that only mention a location.