Logical Reasoning · Method of Argument

PrepTest 151 · Section 3 · Question 15

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

The one idea it tests

Describe HOW the argument works, not what it is about.

The basic logic

Find whose view is under attack and how the attack works. Here the author challenges a conclusion some people drew from a single source, says it is too hasty because there is little else to compare with, and backs that up with a present-day comparison showing that a single source can be unusual. The right answer captures both moves: disagreeing with the view, and using an analogy to undercut it.

Tiny words that decide it

“some”
“too hasty”
“just like”

Playground logic

The scouts say one practice video shows how the rival team always plays. Priya objects: we have barely any other videos, and that one practice may have been unusual, just like our own team's wacky trick-play practices. Her method: challenge their conclusion by pointing to a familiar case that weakens it.

Step 2 · The kid story

The Mystery Practice Video

Nadia's soccer team had a big game coming up. Owen and Marcus, the team's 'scouts,' found exactly one video of the rival team practicing. "Look!" said Marcus. "They only kick with their left feet. That's how they always play!" Priya shook her head. "Hold on. That's the only video we have. That conclusion is way too fast." "Why?" asked Marcus. "Think about our own practices," said Priya. "Last Tuesday, Coach made us play an entire practice hopping on one foot. If someone found a video of only that practice, they'd think we're a team of flamingos." Lulu giggled and wrote: 'One weird video ≠ how they really play.' Marcus slumped. "So our scouting report might be about a flamingo day."

Step 3 · Try the model question

The scouts conclude that one practice video shows how the rival team usually plays. Since no other videos of that team exist, this conclusion is too quick. That practice might have been very unusual, just as some of our own team's practices are.

Priya's argument proceeds by

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Single Photograph

"Your Honor," said the town's expert, "this one surviving photograph shows that every bus driver in our town wore a purple cap." Mr. Whitfield rose, thumbs under his suspenders. "Your Honor, it is the only photograph we have. That is far too thin a basis." He held up a picture of a modern bus driver wearing a giant foam crown. "Consider our own Mr. Delgado, who wears this crown every spring for charity week. If this were the only picture to survive, future historians would think all drivers wore crowns." The jury laughed. Mr. Whitfield bowed. "I am not saying the photograph is wrong. I am saying one possibly unusual source cannot speak for everyone."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 151, Section 3, Question 15 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Identify the view the author is responding to and decide whether the author supports it or challenges it. Then note what tool the author uses: lack of other evidence, an analogy, a counterexample, or a principle. The right answer must match both the direction (challenge or support) and the tool. Eliminate choices that reverse the direction, invent evidence types not present, or reverse which claim supports which.