Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Medium

PT1 S4 Q5 Explanation

Senator Strongwood reported that

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

TopicsMethod

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Stimulus

Senator Strongwood reported that, contrary to a study cited by the administration, a thorough study by his own party concluded that a reduction in the capital gains tax would lead to an increase in the federal deficit. “Hooray for common sense,” he said. “Everyone knows that when you cut taxes you lose because he could not imagine any senator voting to increase the deficit.

What this question is testing

Method

Your task

Describe how the argument proceeds — the technique it uses to reach its conclusion.

Common trap

Answers that describe a method the argument doesn't actually use.

Winning move

Track the role each statement plays, then match that to the choice describing the same moves.

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The question
5.

Which one of the following accurately describes something Senator Strongwood does in

Answer choices

  1. Trap5% picked this

    He implies that increasing the capital gains tax would decrease the

  2. Correct72% picked this

    He assumes senators will believe his party’s report instead of

    Why this is right

    Answer B is correct.

    Skill tested: Method · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

  3. Trap5% picked this

    He resorts to name-calling by expressly stating that his opponents lack

  4. Trap10% picked this

    He assumes that senators will rarely vote for

  5. Trap9% picked this

    He assumes that a study commissioned by his party must be more objective than one

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