LSAT Question Stem

The questionable reasoning in the argument above is most closely paralleled by that in which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The argument in the passage states that an independent audit found no indication of tax avoidance on the part of the firm in the firm's accounts; therefore, no such problem exists. Here, the premise is that the audit found no indication of tax avoidance, and the conclusion is that there is no tax avoidance problem. The argument assumes that if the audit did not find any indication of tax avoidance, then it does not exist.

To better understand this argument, let's use a simple example. Imagine you are looking for your lost keys in your room. You search thoroughly and don't find them. Based on this, you conclude that your keys are not in the room. The argument in the passage follows a similar structure.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Is it possible that the audit missed any indications of tax avoidance?"

The question type for this problem is Parallel Flaw, which asks us to find an answer choice that has the same flawed reasoning as the argument in the passage.

Let's discuss each answer choice:

a) The plan for the introduction of the new product has been unmodified so far; therefore, it will not be modified in the future.

- This answer choice does not match the structure of the argument in the passage. It assumes that no changes in the past will lead to no changes in the future, which is not the same as the passage's flawed reasoning.

b) The overall budget for the projects has been exceeded by a large amount; therefore, at least one of the projects has exceeded its budget by a large amount.

- This answer choice is about cost overruns on projects and does not involve a search and a conclusion based on the absence of findings, like the argument in the passage.

c) A compilation of the best student essays of the year includes no essays on current events; therefore, students have become apathetic toward current events.

- While this answer choice involves a search (for essays on current events) and not finding any, the conclusion is different from the passage's argument. It concludes that students are apathetic towards current events, rather than stating that no such essays exist.

d) A survey of schools in the district found no school without a need for building repair; therefore, the education provided to students in the district is substandard.

- This answer choice has a search (the survey), but the results are different from the passage's argument (every school has a need for repair). The conclusion also does not match the structure of the passage's argument.

e) An examination of the index of the book found no listing for the most prominent critic of the theory the book advocates; therefore, the book fails to refer to that critic.

- This answer choice matches the structure of the argument in the passage. It involves a search (examining the index of the book), not finding any listing for the critic, and concluding that the book does not refer to that critic. This is the correct answer choice.