Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT118 S1 Q9 Explanation

The use of phrases like

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

TopicsPrinciple-Conform

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Stimulus

The use of phrases like “as so-and-so said” or “as the saying goes” suggests that the quote that follows has just been illustrated. Such phrases are counterexample has just been given.

What this question is testing

Principle-Conform

Principle

The principle is simple: "as the saying goes" should follow a story that illustrates the saying. If the story is actually a counterexample — the opposite of what the saying claims — then using "as the saying goes" is inappropriate.

Goal

So we are looking for the answer where the story and the saying do not match. Either the story is the reverse of what the saying claims, or it just does not illustrate the saying at all.

Read each example, ask: "Does this story actually fit the proverb?" The one where the answer is no is correct.

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

The question
9.

Which one of the following contains an inappropriate usage of a phrase, according to the

Answer choices

  1. Saying Fits4% picked this

    Fatima was a mathematician who often thought about unsolved problems of mathematics, although it was unpleasant to be reminded that most would probably remain

    Fatima dwells on how much there is left to know. The saying — "Strange how much you've got to know before you know how little you know" — fits her situation: a thoughtful person realizing how vast unsolved territory is. The phrase is used appropriately, so this is not the inappropriate usage we are looking for.

  2. Saying Fits6% picked this

    Harold’s friends were surprised when he revealed that he had left his wallet at home and asked that someone lend him money. But he

    Harold repeatedly forgets his wallet and asks friends for money. The saying calls selfishness inevitable and calculable, like gravity. The story illustrates that point — Harold's selfishness is reliable, predictable behavior. The phrase is used appropriately.

  3. Saying Fits4% picked this

    The best model of vacuum cleaner was the most expensive on the market, but it would have made Roger unhappy to purchase it. For

    Roger refuses to spend on the most expensive vacuum because he is frugal. The saying — "A penny saved is a penny earned" — celebrates frugality, which fits Roger's behavior. The phrase is used appropriately.

  4. Saying Fits3% picked this

    Sharon loved cats, but her husband was allergic to them. Still, he was occasionally willing to accompany her to cat shows. As the saying

    Sharon loves cats; her husband does not but accompanies her anyway. The saying "Shared lives mean shared loves" fits — the husband is taking on her interest because they share a life. The phrase is used appropriately.

  5. Correct83% picked this

    Raoul spent a year planning and preparing for a fantastic ski trip. He enjoyed his ski trip greatly until he broke his leg and

    Why this is right

    This is the inappropriate usage. Raoul's trip did not end well — he broke his leg and spent two weeks in the hospital. So the saying "All's well that ends well" is exactly the wrong proverb to invoke here; Raoul's story is a counterexample to the saying, not an illustration of it. By the principle, "as the saying goes" should not have been used.

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

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