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13 Oct 2021, 06:00
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D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
75%
(hard)
Question Stats:
54% (01:58) correct
46%
(02:04)
wrong
based on 431
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
James: Many people claim that the voting public is unable to evaluate complex campaign issues. The television commercials for Reade in the national campaign, however, discuss complex campaign issues, and Reade is, at present, more popular than any other candidate.
Maria: Yes, Reade is the most popular. However, you are incorrect in claiming that this is because of Reade’s discussion of complex campaign issues. Reade simply strikes the voters as the most competent and trustworthy candidate.
Which one of the following, if true, most supports Maria’s counter to James?
(A) Reade’s opponents are discussing some of the same issues as Reade.
(B) Reade’s opponents charge that Reade oversimplifies complex campaign issues.
(C) Polling data show that Reade’s present popularity will probably diminish over time.
(D) Polling data show that most voters cannot identify Reade’s positions on campaign issues.
(E) Polling data show that some voters consider Reade competent and trustworthy.
Maria: Yes, Reade is the most popular. However, you are incorrect in claiming that this is because of Reade’s discussion of complex campaign issues. Reade simply strikes the voters as the most competent and trustworthy candidate.
Which one of the following, if true, most supports Maria’s counter to James?
(A) Reade’s opponents are discussing some of the same issues as Reade.
(B) Reade’s opponents charge that Reade oversimplifies complex campaign issues.
(C) Polling data show that Reade’s present popularity will probably diminish over time.
(D) Polling data show that most voters cannot identify Reade’s positions on campaign issues.
(E) Polling data show that some voters consider Reade competent and trustworthy.
16 Oct 2021, 06:00
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Bunuel
EXPLANATION FROM Fox LSAT
James’ use of the word “claim” hints that he is going to disagree with this idea. He gives Reade, who has been discussing complex issues in commercials, and who is the most popular candidate, as a counterexample. James seems to be suggesting that people who claim that the voting public is unable to evaluate complex campaign issues must be wrong. James doesn’t actually SAY this, but his argument is designed to suggest it.
Maria seems to agree with James’ facts. Yes, says Maria, Reade is the most popular candidate, and he has been discussing complex issues. But whereas James takes those facts and implies that the public is able to evaluate complex issues, Maria says Reade is popular because he seems competent and trustworthy.
This is a very common pattern on the LSAT: Speaker One offers facts and a conclusion, while Speaker Two comes to a different conclusion, without necessarily disagreeing with the first speaker’s facts.
We’re asked to find an answer that supports Maria’s position. So we want an answer that suggests that people cannot understand complex issues, or simply think Reade is competent and trustworthy, rather than being swayed by Reade’s discussion of complex issues. I can’t really predict this answer in advance, so let’s see what the answer choices have to offer us.
A) This could support Maria’s position, weakly, although maybe Reade is better at discussing the issues, and this is exactly why he is popular. Since we can read this answer choice as both a weakener and a strengthener, I doubt that it’s our answer.
B) I can see how it would fit with Maria’s argument. Here’s Maria: “True, Reade is discussing complex campaign issues. But he’s oversimplifying them, and thereby seeming competent and trustworthy, when really he is full of ****! This suggests that the public is unable to evaluate these complex issues.” That seems like a decent fit, to me. If none of the other answers are compelling, I’ll go with B.
C) Future polling data are simply irrelevant. Can the voting public, right now, today, evaluate complex issues, or can’t they? Tomorrow is irrelevant.
D) I like this one better than B. I had to work to make B fit with Maria’s argument; Putting words in Maria’s mouth is dangerous. But this one is straightforward. If people can’t identify Reade’s positions on campaign issues, then how the hell could James possibly suggest that Reade is popular because of his discussion of campaign issues? This one feels simpler to me. All else being equal, I’m always going to pick the simpler, more straightforward answer.
E) This supports Maria’s position, but very weakly. Just because “some” voters find Reade to be competent and trustworthy doesn’t mean that “most” or even “many” voters find him competent and trustworthy. “Some” means “one or more.” So even if E is true, 99.9999 percent of all voters could still think Reade is a scumbag, which would definitely undermine Maria’s position.
Our answer is D.
General Discussion
13 Oct 2021, 06:36
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James think Reade's popularity is due to his ability to discuss complex campaign issues.
Maria thinks James conclusion is incorrect and Reade simply strikes the voters as the most competent and trustworthy candidate.
(A) Reade’s opponents are discussing some of the same issues as Reade.
--> this does not strengthen Maria's position
(B) Reade’s opponents charge that Reade oversimplifies complex campaign issues.
--> this strengthens James's position
(C) Polling data show that Reade’s present popularity will probably diminish over time.
--> Irrelevant
(D) Polling data show that most voters cannot identify Reade’s positions on campaign issues.
--> This strengthen Maria's position that Reade's popularity is not due to his positions on campaign issues.
(E) Polling data show that some voters consider Reade competent and trustworthy.
--> Some voters may not be enough to strengthen Maria's position
Maria thinks James conclusion is incorrect and Reade simply strikes the voters as the most competent and trustworthy candidate.
(A) Reade’s opponents are discussing some of the same issues as Reade.
--> this does not strengthen Maria's position
(B) Reade’s opponents charge that Reade oversimplifies complex campaign issues.
--> this strengthens James's position
(C) Polling data show that Reade’s present popularity will probably diminish over time.
--> Irrelevant
(D) Polling data show that most voters cannot identify Reade’s positions on campaign issues.
--> This strengthen Maria's position that Reade's popularity is not due to his positions on campaign issues.
(E) Polling data show that some voters consider Reade competent and trustworthy.
--> Some voters may not be enough to strengthen Maria's position
