Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT131 S1 Q5 Explanation

Landscape architect: If the screen

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

TopicsParallel

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Stimulus

Landscape architect: If the screen between these two areas is to be a hedge, that hedge must be of either hemlocks or Leyland cypress trees. However, Leyland cypress trees cannot be grown this far north. So a hedge, it will be a hemlock hedge.

What this question is testing

Parallel

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
5.

In which one of the following is the pattern of reasoning most similar to that in the

Answer choices

  1. Wrong Premise / Wrong Conclusion1% picked this

    If there is to be an entrance on the north side of the building, it will have to be approached by a ramp. However,

    Evidence If there is to be an entrance on NS → R the north side of the building, it will have to be approached by a ramp. A ramp would become ~R impossibly slippery in winter. Conclusion There will be no entrance on NS the north side.

  2. Wrong Premise2% picked this

    If visitors are to travel to this part of the site by automobile, there will be a need for parking spaces. However, no parking

    Evidence If visitors are to travel to this part A → PS of the site by automobile, there will be a need for parking spaces. No parking spaces are allowed D → ~PS for in the design. Conclusion If visitors are likely to come by A → ~D automobile, the design will be changed.

  3. Wrong Premise2% picked this

    The subsoil in these five acres either consists entirely of clay or consists entirely of shale. Therefore, if one test hole in the area

    Evidence The subsoil in these five acres EC or ES either consists entirely of clay or consists entirely of shale. Conclusion If one test hole in the area ~EC or ES reveals shale [not entirely clay], it will be clear that the entire five acres has a shale subsoil.

  4. Correct95% picked this

    Any path along this embankment must be either concrete or stone. But a concrete path cannot be built in this location. So if there

    Why this is right

    Evidence Any path along this embankment E →C or S must be either concrete or stone. A concrete path cannot be built ~C in this location. Conclusion If there is to be a path on the E → S embankment, it will be a stone path.

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

  5. Wrong Premise / Wrong Conclusion / Wrong Validity1% picked this

    A space the size of this meadow would be suitable for a playground or a picnic area. However, a playground would be noisy and

    Evidence A space the size of this meadow Playground or Picnic would be suitable for a playground U a picnic area. A playground would be noisy. Playground → N A picnic area would create litter. Picnic → L Conclusion It will be best for the area to ~Playground or ~Picnic remain a meadow [neither playground nor picnic].

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