Logical Reasoning

PT131 · S1 · Q1 Editorial: Almost every year

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

  • 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

Editorial: Almost every year the Smithfield River floods the coastal fishing community of Redhook, which annually spends $3 million on the cleanup.

Opposing Support

Almost every year the Smithfield River floods the coastal fishing community of Redhook, which annually spends $3 million on the cleanup Damming the river would cost $5 million.

Damming the river would prevent the flooding.

Opposing Point

Some residents have proposed damming the river.

Evidence

A dam would prevent nutrients in the river from flowing into the ocean.

Fish that now feed on those nutrients would start feed elsewhere.

The loss of these fish would cost Redhook $10 million annually.

Conclusion

However, their position is misguided.

1.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the editorial's argument?

  1. The Smithfield River should be

    Opposing Point

    This represents the point against which the editorialist argues.

    1% picked this

  2. Nutrients from the Smithfield River

    Premise

    This is support for the argument's main conclusion.

    4% picked this

  3. Damming the Smithfield River is

    Unsupported

    The editorialist does not argue that the construction cost is too much to justify damming the river, but rather the loss of fish would cost Redhook $10 million annually.

    5% picked this

  4. Correct

    For Redhook to build a

    Why this is right

    This best paraphrases the argument's main conclusion.

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

    90% picked this

  5. The Smithfield River floods cost

    Opposing Support

    This supports the opposing point proposed by some residents to dam the river.

    0% picked this

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