Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Medium

PT118 S3 Q18 Explanation

The tendency toward overspecialization in

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

TopicsPrinciple-Conform

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Stimulus

The tendency toward overspecialization in the study of artifacts is unfortunate. Scholars can enhance their understanding of a certain artistic period by studying art from earlier periods that had a significant influence on it. For instance, because of its influence on Spanish is indispensable for a proper understanding of Spanish porcelain.

What this question is testing

Principle-Conform

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
18.

Of the following, which one most closely conforms to the principle that the passage as

Answer choices

  1. Trap2% picked this

    To understand completely the major trends in research on aging, one must understand the influences these trends exert

  2. Trap12% picked this

    To understand fully the historical events of this century, a historian must have an understanding of similar

  3. Trap7% picked this

    To appreciate fully the French language, one must understand the other languages that share

  4. Trap2% picked this

    To understand properly any academic discipline, one must have at least a superficial acquaintance with the practices of

  5. Correct78% picked this

    To understand completely Aristotle’s philosophy, one must be well acquainted with the philosophy of his

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

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

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