Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Hard

PT156 S4 Q10 ExplanationWhile the population of city X is approximately

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

TopicsParadox

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Stimulus

While the population of city X is approximately one-half that of city Y, the number of city X residents who are patients in hospitals is only one-fourth that of residents who are patients in hospitals.

What this question is testing

Paradox

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
10.

Each of the following, if true, contributes to an explanation of the difference in the number of residents who are

Answer choices, explained

  1. Trap3% picked this

    Preventive health programs are more prevalent in city X than in

  2. Trap14% picked this

    The hospitals in city X are noted as leaders in employing outpatient

  3. Trap5% picked this

    The drinking water of city Y has dangerously high levels of pollutants, whereas this is not the

  4. Correct60% picked this

    The hospitals in city Y are of very high quality, and residents of city X are often

    Why this is right

    Answer D is correct.

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

  5. Trap18% picked this

    The lifestyle in city X is significantly less stressful than the lifestyle

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