Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT111 S3 Q7 Explanation

The drilling proponent’s reply

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

TopicsMethod

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Stimulus

Opponent of offshore oil drilling: The projected benefits of drilling new oil wells in certain areas in the outer continental shelf are not worth the risk of environmental disaster. The oil already being extracted from these areas currently provides only 4 percent of wells would only add one-half of 1 percent.

Proponent of offshore oil drilling: Don’t be ridiculous! You might just as well argue that new farms should not be allowed, since no new farm could supply the total for more than a few minutes.

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.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
7.

The drilling proponent’s reply to the drilling opponent

Answer choices

  1. Trap1% picked this

    offering evidence in support of drilling that is more decisive than is the evidence offered

  2. Trap1% picked this

    claiming that the statistics cited as evidence by the drilling opponent

  3. Trap5% picked this

    pointing out that the drilling opponent’s argument is a misapplication of a frequently legitimate

  4. Correct92% picked this

    citing as parallel to the argument made by the drilling opponent an argument in which the

    Why this is right

    Answer D is correct.

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

  5. Trap1% picked this

    proposing a conclusion that is more strongly supported by the drilling opponent’s evidence than is the conclusion offered

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