Logical Reasoning · Inference (Complete the Argument)

PrepTest 158 · Section 2 · Question 4

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

Step 1 · Pre-Question Guidance · read this first

Question type

Inference (Complete the Argument)

The one idea it tests

When a speaker sets two expert claims side by side and then adds a fact, the blank is where the fact makes the two claims clash.

The basic logic

Experts say a group is both less happy and a threat to replace another group. The speaker adds: unhappy people do worse work, so bosses won't swap happy for unhappy. Put them together: if the group really is unhappy, it is not much of a replacement threat. The blank should say the first claim undercuts the second.

Tiny words that decide it

“both”
“but”
“unlikely”
“therefore”

Playground logic

Coach says subs are grumpier and also that subs will steal starting spots. Priya adds that grumpy players play worse, so no coach swaps a happy player for a grumpy one. Her top bun fills itself in: grumpy subs probably won't steal anybody's spot.

Step 2 · The kid story

Priya and the Grumpy Bench

The soccer parents were chatting. "Substitutes quit the team more often," said one dad. "That proves subs are grumpier than starters." Another mom added, "And watch out. Those subs are going to steal the starters' spots!" Priya sipped her juice box. "You can't have it both ways. Grumpy players play worse. Coach Bea knows that. She is not going to bench a happy player who plays well just to put in a grumpy one who plays badly." Marcus scratched his head. "So what are you saying?" "I'm saying," Priya explained, "if the subs really are grumpy, then they probably won't take anyone's spot." Lulu wrote it on her clipboard: Claim one hurts claim two. Kevin asked if dinosaurs had substitutes.

Step 3 · Try the model question

Parents say substitutes are grumpier than starters, since subs quit more often, and also that subs will take the starters' spots. But grumpy players play worse, so a coach is unlikely to replace happy players with grumpy ones. Therefore, ____.

Which choice best completes Priya's argument?

Step 4 · The courtroom tale

The Two Complaints

A bakery owner sued a rival. His lawyer said, "Your Honor, the rival's apprentices are sloppy. They burn half their loaves. And those apprentices are about to take over my head bakers' jobs!" Mr. Whitfield stood for the rival. "Your Honor, my friend makes two claims that fight each other. Sloppy bakers burn bread. No owner trades a careful baker for one who burns bread. So if the apprentices really are sloppy, they are unlikely to take anyone's job." The judge smiled. "Counsel, pick one complaint. You cannot ride both horses."

Step 5 · Work the real question

Open PrepTest 158, Section 2, Question 4 in your official copy from LSAC (for example in LawHub) and read it there.

Your answer

How to apply it

Spot the two claims the speaker reports, then the 'but' fact the speaker adds. Ask how the added fact connects to each claim. Usually it uses the first claim to undermine the second. Predict the blank in plain words: 'if the first is true, the second is unlikely.' Choose the answer that says exactly that. Cross off choices that agree with the claim being attacked, add new causes, or bring in topics the speaker never touched.