Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT136 S2 Q1 Explanation

Mayor: There has been a long debate

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

TopicsFlaw

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Stimulus

Mayor: There has been a long debate in city council about how to accommodate projected increases in automobile traffic. Today, our choice is clear: either we adopt my plan to build a new expressway, or we do nothing. Doing nothing is not a viable option because our existing system of roads would of future traffic levels. City council should therefore adopt my plan.

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
1.

The reasoning in the mayor's argument is most vulnerable to which one of

Answer choices

  1. Trap1% picked this

    It bases a projection only on conservative estimates rather than considering a wider

  2. Trap4% picked this

    It takes for granted that the options it considers are

  3. Trap1% picked this

    It fails to consider the possibility that the rate of increase in traffic will start to

  4. Trap0% picked this

    It fails to address the issue of the cost of traffic gridlock to

  5. Correct94% picked this

    It presents a choice that is limited to two options, without giving reasons for not

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

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

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