Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT129 S2 Q2 Explanation

Long-distance runners use two different kinds

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

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Stimulus

Long-distance runners use two different kinds of cognitive strategies: "associative" and "dissociative." Associative strategies involve attending closely to physical sensations, while dissociative strategies involve mostly ignoring physical sensations. Associative strategies, unlike dissociative ones, require so much concentration that they result in mental exhaustion lasting more than runners to enter a race mentally refreshed, _______ .

What this question is testing

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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
2.

Which one of the following most logically completes

Answer choices

  1. Correct88% picked this

    long-distance runners should not rely heavily on associative strategies during training the day before they

    Why this is right

    This makes sense. Associate strategies leave you mentally exhausted the following day, but long distance runners want to be mentally refreshed on race day.

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

  2. Too Strong: "unless"2% picked this

    unless they regularly train using associative strategies, long-distance runners should use dissociative

    Based on what we heard about the two strategies, it seems like either one is a contender for during races. We have no reason to care whether the long distance runner is mentally exhausted the day after the race.

  3. Too Strong2% picked this

    maximizing the benefits of training for long-distance running involves frequently alternating associative

    Too Strong: "maximizing" / "frequently alternating" / Out of Scope: "benefits" We have no idea which strategy is better at maximizing the benefits of training. We certainly can't assume that frequently alternating is the optimum strategy.

  4. Too Strong0% picked this

    long-distance runners are about evenly divided between those who use dissociative strategies during races and those who use

    Too Strong: "evenly divided" / Out of Scope Comparison We have no way of comparing what proportion of runners are using one strategy vs. the other (perhaps they all use both?)

  5. Too Strong: "generally more effective"7% picked this

    in long-distance running, dissociative strategies are generally more effective for a day's training run than

    We know that associative has one downside that dissociative doesn't (it leaves you mentally exhausted the day after). But we don't know what potential upsides associative may have, so it could still be the more effective method in general.

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