Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT138 S4 Q3 Explanation

The level of sulfur dioxide

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

TopicsMust be True

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Stimulus

The level of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere is slightly higher than it was ten years ago. This increase is troubling because ten years ago the Interior Ministry imposed new, stricter regulations on emissions from coal-burning power plants. If these regulations sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere would have decreased.

What this question is testing

Must be True

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
3.

Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the

Answer choices

  1. Speculation11% picked this

    If current regulations on emissions from coal-burning power plants are not followed from now on, then the level of sulfur dioxide in

    The statements do not provide for an inference about the future.

  2. Correct82% picked this

    There have been violations of the regulations on emissions from coal-burning power plants that were

    Why this is right

    It can be inferred ~R from the first and third statements that the regulations have not been followed.

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

  3. Speculation1% picked this

    If the regulations on emissions from coal-burning power plants are made even stronger, the level of sulfur dioxide in the

    The statements do not provide for an inference about the future.

  4. Term Shift5% picked this

    Emissions from coal-burning power plants are one of the main sources

    The statements are about the level of sulfur dioxide, while this is about air pollution more generally.

  5. Speculation0% picked this

    Government regulations will never reduce the level of sulfur dioxide in

    The statements do not provide for an inference about the future.

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