LSAT Explanation PT 19, S2, Q22: Congenial guests and a plentiful supply
LSAT Question Stem
The pattern of flawed reasoning exhibited by the argument above is most similar to that exhibited by which one of the following?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Parallel Flaw question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is D.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
Let's first break down the argument in the passage and identify its structure. The argument states that congenial guests and a plentiful supply of good things to eat and drink will ensure a successful dinner party. This is the premise. The passage then tells us that Sylvia has prepared more than enough to eat and drink and her guests are all congenial people. Based on this information, the passage concludes that her dinner party is certain to be a success. This is the conclusion.
To make this argument more accessible, let's use a simple example. Imagine that a soccer team needs a good coach and talented players to win a championship. If a team has a great coach and skilled players, we might conclude that they will win the championship.
An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are the food and drinks at Sylvia's dinner party of good quality?"
Now, let's analyze the answer choices. The question type is Parallel Flaw, which means we need to find an answer choice that exhibits a similar pattern of flawed reasoning as the argument in the passage.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice has good reasoning and does not involve a similar detail error as the passage, so it is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): The reasoning in this choice is poor, but it involves a Mistaken Reversal, not a detail error, which makes it different from the passage's flaw. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice has good reasoning, so it is incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. The general logical flow is correct, but it makes a detail error by not stating that Arnold's meat stock is well-seasoned, similar to the detail error in the passage.
Answer choice (E): The reasoning in this choice is logically unjustified and involves a Mistaken Negation, rather than a detail error like the passage. This makes it incorrect.
In conclusion, the correct answer is (D), as it exhibits a similar pattern of flawed reasoning due to a detail error, just like the argument in the passage.