Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Hard

PT133 S2 Q9 Explanation

Letter to the editor: I have

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

TopicsFlaw

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Stimulus

Letter to the editor: I have never seen such flawed reasoning and distorted evidence as that which you tried to pass off as a balanced study in the article "Speed Limits, Fatalities, and Public Policy." The article states that areas with lower speed limits had lower vehicle-related fatality rates than other areas. So the evidence actually supports the view that speed limits should be increased.

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
9.

The reasoning in the letter writer's argument is flawed because

Answer choices

  1. Not a Flaw7% picked this

    bases its conclusion on findings from the same article that it

    One can criticize an article and still concede the accuracy of findings within that article.

  2. Contradiction20% picked this

    fails to consider the possibility that automobile accidents that occur at high speeds often

    The argument concedes that automobile accidents that occur at high speeds often result in fatalities.

  3. Out of Scope1% picked this

    fails to consider the possibility that not everyone wants to

    How fast people want to drive is not relevant to the argument.

  4. Correct63% picked this

    fails to consider the possibility that the vehicle­ related fatality rates in other areas

    Why this is right

    This answer correctly points out a possibility that would call the author's conclusion into question.

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

  5. Contradiction10% picked this

    does not present any claims as evidence against the

    The author presents evidence against the opposing viewpoint.

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