Logical Reasoning

PT131 · S2 · Q11 Medical research has established

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

Medical research has established that the Beta Diet is healthier than a more conventional diet.

Background

It's known that Beta Diet is healthier than an average diet.

Surprising Claim

People who have been on the Beta Diet are on average more likely to be in poor health than people on an average diet.

Goal

Given that it's a healthy diet, why are people on Beta in poorer health than the average eater?

11.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent conflict between the two statements above?

  1. On average, people who have

    Opposite Heightens the Surprise

    This doesn't explain why Beta dieters are in poorer health. It makes it seem even more like Beta dieters should be in better health. Had this been flipped and said "much less likely", it would have worked as a correct answer.

    2% picked this

  2. Correct

    The Beta Diet is used

    Why this is right

    Beta dieters are in poorer health because first they get in poor health (they suffer from a condition that adversely affects overall health), then they get put by a doctor on onto the Beta Diet. The Beta diet isn't causing them to be in poorer health. Being in poor health is causing them to be on the Beta Diet.

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

    90% picked this

  3. People of average health who

    Supports Background Heightens Surprise

    This doesn't help us explain why Beta dieters are in poorer health. In this answer, the people who go onto a Beta diet see their health improve a lot.

    2% picked this

  4. The Beta Diet provides dramatic

    Too Weak

    This doesn't help us explain why people on Beta dieters are in poorer health. It says that some people on it only get modest benefit (not the large benefit that others get). But all of those people are still benefiting. No one is being harmed, so how are they in poorer health?

    5% picked this

  5. Recent research has shown that

    Out of Scope

    Out of Scope: "healthier than Beta Diet" We know that Beta is a healthy diet. Healthier than average. It doesn't matter for this paradox whether Beta is #1 ranked healthiest, #2, etc. It just needs to be healthier than average, because the paradox is that its users tend to be less healthy than average.

    1% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

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