Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT152 S4 Q1 ExplanationResearcher: It is widely believed that

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

TopicsMain Conclusion

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Stimulus

Researcher: It is widely believed that, given its northerly latitude, England’s mild winters must be due to the Gulf Stream, which brings warm water flowing northeastward across the Atlantic Ocean. But this belief is mistaken. While it is true that the Gulf Stream brings tropical water to England, in the Pacific Ocean North America’s west coast has mild winters well north of that point.

What this question is testing

Main Conclusion

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
1.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion drawn in

Answer choices, explained

  1. Opposing Idea1% picked this

    It is widely believed that England’s mild winters must be due to

    This describes the opposing idea presented in the first sentence. The conclusion of the argument refutes this belief.

  2. Correct98% picked this

    The belief that England’s mild winters must be due to the Gulf

    Why this is right

    This mirrors the conclusion of the argument, "This belief is mistaken." It's worded in a way that describes exactly what "this belief" refers to.

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

  3. Opposing Idea0% picked this

    It is true that the Gulf Stream brings tropical water

    This is presented as a fact in the argument. It's a fact which supports the widely held belief that England’s mild winters must be due to the Gulf Stream, a belief that the conclusion refutes.

  4. Premise1% picked this

    In the Pacific Ocean, the Kuroshio Current brings tropical water only as far

    This is evidence used to support the conclusion.

  5. Premise Last Claim Bait1% picked this

    North America’s west coast has mild winters well north

    This answer might be trying to trick people who are used to the final statement in an argument being the conclusion. But this isn't the conclusion. It's evidence used to support the conclusion.

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