Logical Reasoning · Strengthen

PrepTest 151 · Section 2 · Question 24

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

When an argument claims a benefit outweighs a cost, it gets stronger if the benefit also shrinks the cost over time.

The basic logic

The burger: a change brings a benefit (patty) and a cost the arguer admits. The top bun says the benefit beats the cost. Strengthen by showing the benefit eventually helps undo the cost, so the cost looks smaller.

Tiny words that decide it

“more than”
“harm”
“eventually”

Playground logic

Kevin says longer drill sessions build skill, and skill wins games, so the drills help more than the lost scrimmage time hurts. The best helper shows that skilled teams end up getting more playing time anyway, which shrinks the cost.

Step 2 · The kid story

Kevin's Practice Plan

Kevin has a plan for the soccer team, and for once he does not mention dinosaurs. "When drill sessions are short, Coach lets everyone scrimmage instead of learning skills. Then our skills stop growing, and skills are what win games. Longer drills build skills. So switching to longer drills helps us more than losing scrimmage time hurts us." Frankie objects. "But scrimmage is where we get to play!" Sharon argues back. "Skills matter more." Priya sips her juice box. "Here is what would really help Kevin. If skilled teams get invited to more tournaments, then better skills bring more playing time later. The cost shrinks on its own." Kevin beams. "Exactly what I meant. Probably."

Step 3 · Try the model question

Short drill sessions lead the coach to let kids scrimmage instead of building skills, so skill growth slows, and skill is needed to win. Longer drill sessions build more skill. So switching to longer drills will help the team more than the lost scrimmage time will hurt it.

Which choice, if true, gives Kevin's argument the biggest boost?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Town Pool Hearing

A town plans to close its pool two afternoons a week so lifeguards can take a safety course. Parents sue: less swim time hurts kids. Mr. Whitfield defends the town. "Your Honor, better trained guards mean fewer accidents, and accidents are what close pools for weeks at a time. So the course helps more than the lost afternoons hurt." The judge frowns. "And proof?" Mr. Whitfield calls the pool director. "Pools with trained guards," she says, "usually get approved for longer summer hours." Mr. Whitfield smiles. "So the training itself wins back the time it costs." The judge nods. "That helps you a great deal."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 151, Section 2, Question 24 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Find the top bun: a change helps more than it hurts. Name the benefit and the admitted cost. Look for the answer that tips the scale: either it makes the benefit bigger or shows the benefit eventually reduces the cost. Skip answers that only describe the current situation, that point to how important the cost is, or that suggest the benefit fades fast. Those either stay neutral or push the wrong way.