Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Medium

PT131 S1 Q10 Explanation

Columnist: A recent research report

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

TopicsFlaw

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Stimulus

Columnist: A recent research report suggests that by exercising vigorously, one significantly lowers one's chances of developing certain cardio­-respiratory illnesses. But exercise has this effect, the report concludes, only if the exercise is vigorous. Thus, one should that nonstrenuous walking yields the same benefits.

What this question is testing

Flaw

Your task

Describe the reasoning error the argument actually commits.

Common trap

Answers that name a real logical flaw the argument doesn't actually make.

Winning move

Articulate the gap in the reasoning yourself, then match it to the choice that describes that 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
10.

The reasoning in the columnist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds

Answer choices

  1. Out of Scope14% picked this

    fails to consider the possibility that the risk of developing certain cardio-respiratory illnesses can be reduced by

    Reducing one’s risk of cardio-respiratory illnesses by any means other than exercise is not relevant to the argument.

  2. Out of Scope3% picked this

    fails to consider that those who exercise vigorously are at increased risk of physical injury

    The argument does not assume that exercise is only good for one’s health.

  3. Out of Scope2% picked this

    overlooks the possibility that vigorous exercise may prevent life-endangering diseases that have little to do

    Other life-endangering diseases that have little to do with the cardio-respiratory system are not relevant to the argument.

  4. Out of Scope2% picked this

    fails to consider the possibility that those who engage in vigorous physical exercise are more likely than others

    How people perceive themselves is not relevant to the argument.

  5. Correct79% picked this

    fails to show that a certain conclusion of the recent report is better justified than an opposing conclusion

    Why this is right

    This points out the possibility that the opposing conclusion is better justified.

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

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