Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT4 S4 Q1 Explanation

With the passage of the new

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

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Stimulus

With the passage of the new tax reform laws, the annual tax burden on low-income taxpayers will be reduced, on average, by anywhere from $100 to $300. the interest of low-income taxpayers.

What this question is testing

Weaken

Your task

Find the choice that makes the argument's conclusion less likely to be true.

Common trap

Answers that look negative but attack a claim the argument never relied on.

Winning move

Find the assumption the argument depends on, then pick the choice that undermines it.

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, if true, most undermines the

Answer choices

  1. Opposite Impact (strengthens)1% picked this

    Tax reform, by simplifying the tax code, will save many people the expense of having an

    In addition to saving money on taxes themselves, tax reform would also save money on fees paid to accountants. This helps the author, as it introduces another upside of tax reform.

  2. Correct93% picked this

    Tax reform, by eliminating tax incentives to build rental housing, will push up rents an average of about $40

    Why this is right

    This answer suggests that the elimination of tax incentives may increase rents by about $40 per month for low-income taxpayers, amounting to $480 per year. This increased cost would likely eclipse the $100 to $300 tax savings, leaving them worse off, and thus undermines the claim that tax reform is in their interest.

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

  3. Opposite (if anything)2% picked this

    Low-income taxpayers have consistently voted for those political candidates who are strong advocates

    The historical voting patterns of low-income taxpayers for candidates who support tax reform do not address whether the new tax reforms are specifically beneficial to them. But, if anything, it makes it seem like maybe they are and maybe that's why low-income taxpayers vote for such candidates.

  4. Opposite Impact (strengthens)4% picked this

    The new tax reform laws will permit low-and middle-income taxpayers to deduct child-care expenses

    In addition to saving money on taxes themselves, tax reform would also let people deduct childcare from their taxes. This helps the author, as it introduces another upside of tax reform.

  5. Opposite (if anything)1% picked this

    Under the new tax reform laws, many low-income taxpayers who now pay taxes will no longer be

    We know the average savings for low-income taxpayers is $100-300. This gets more into the details and says that for many, they will suddenly have to pay no taxes. Technically this isn't adding anything new, but if anything, this helps the author, as it sounds like another upside of tax reform.

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