Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT114 S1 Q16 Explanation

Policy analyst: Increasing the size

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

TopicsParallel Flaw

Keep going in LSAT Lab

  • Save & drill this skill — build targeted practice sets from questions like this one

  • Video walkthroughs — watch every question solved step by step

  • 81 official LSATs — as questions, timed sections & full-length tests

Start practicing free

Free to start

Full official LSAT questions are available through LawHub. This page provides LSAT Lab's explanation, strategy, and review tools without republishing the full official question.

Stimulus

Policy analyst: Increasing the size of a police force is only a stopgap method of crime prevention; it does not get at the root causes of crime. Therefore, city officials should not respond to size of their city’s police force.

What this question is testing

Parallel Flaw

Your task

Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.

Common trap

Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.

Winning move

Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.

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

The question
16.

The flawed reasoning in which one of the following arguments most closely resembles the flawed reasoning in the

Answer choices

  1. Trap3% picked this

    Some people think that rules with higher standards than people can live up to, such as those enjoining total honesty, prevent some immoral behavior

  2. Trap4% picked this

    Swamps play an important role in allaying the harsh effects of floods because they absorb a great deal of water. Although dams prevent many

  3. Trap1% picked this

    Although less effective in preventing theft than security guards, burglar alarm systems are more affordable to maintain. Because the greater loss from theft when

  4. Correct91% picked this

    Because taking this drug does not cure the disease for which it is prescribed, but only reduces the disease’s most harmful effects, doctors should

    Why this is right

    Answer D is correct.

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

  5. Trap0% picked this

    We will never fully understand what causes people to engage in criminal activity. Therefore, we should investigate other ways to improve

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

Save and practice this skill
LSAT Lab

Turn this review into a targeted study plan.

Save this question, drill more like it, watch the video walkthrough, and track your progress in your LSAT Lab account.

Start practicing free