LSAT Explanation PT 29, S4, Q12: Editorialist: Drivers with a large number

LSAT Question Stem

If the editorialist's statements are true, they provide the most support for which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's understand the passage. The editorialist is discussing the consequences for drivers with a large number of demerit points and a conviction for a serious driving-related offense. They suggest that these drivers should either be sentenced to jail or receive driver re-education. However, driver re-education should only be recommended if it is likely to make them more responsible drivers. The editorialist then states that it is almost always impossible to make such drivers more responsible.

To make this more relatable, imagine a student who consistently performs poorly on exams and has been caught cheating. The school must decide between expelling the student or assigning them to a study skills course. However, the course should only be recommended if it is likely to improve the student's academic performance. Unfortunately, it is almost always impossible to improve the performance of such students.

Now, let's analyze the question type, which is a "Most Strongly Supported" (MSS) question. We need to find the answer choice that is most supported by the editorialist's statements.

Let's represent the logic in the passage using formal logic diagrams:

J = sent to jail

DE = receive driver re-education

D = drivers with a large number of demerit points and a conviction for a serious driving-related offense

R = likely to be made more responsible drivers

1. D -> J or DE

2. DE -> R

3. /R -> /DE

Now, let's go through each answer choice:

a) Drivers with a large number of demerit points who have been convicted of a serious driving-related offense should be sent to jail.

This answer choice is supported by the passage's logic. Since driver re-education is only recommended if it can make drivers more responsible (DE -> R), and it is almost always impossible to make such drivers more responsible (/R), the contrapositive tells us that driver re-education should not be recommended for these drivers (/DE). Therefore, the only remaining option is jail (J). This is the correct answer.

b) Driver re-education offers the best chance of making drivers with a large number of demerit points responsible drivers.

This answer choice introduces new information that is not supported by the passage. The editorialist does not discuss the "best chance" for making drivers more responsible.

c) Driver re-education is not a harsh enough punishment for anyone convicted of a serious driving-related offense who has also accumulated a large number of demerit points.

This answer choice also introduces new information that is not supported by the passage. The editorialist does not discuss whether driver re-education is a "harsh enough punishment."

d) Driver re-education should not be recommended for those who have committed no serious driving-related offenses.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage, as it addresses drivers who have not committed a serious driving offense, which the editorialist does not discuss.

e) Drivers with a large number of demerit points but no conviction for a serious driving-related offense should receive driver re-education rather than jail.

This answer choice contradicts the passage's logic. The editorialist states that driver re-education should not be recommended for drivers with a large number of demerit points, as it is almost always impossible to make them more responsible drivers.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (a) Drivers with a large number of demerit points who have been convicted of a serious driving-related offense should be sent to jail.