LSAT Question Stem

The pattern of 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 question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage presents the following premises and conclusion:

Premise 1: An air traveler in Beijing cannot fly to Lhasa without first flying to Chengdu.

Premise 2: An air traveler in Beijing must fly to Xian before flying to Chengdu.

Conclusion: Any air traveler who flies from Beijing to Lhasa cannot avoid flying to Xian.

The structure of the argument is that it presents two conditions that must be met in order to fly from Beijing to Lhasa, and then concludes that one of the conditions (flying to Xian) cannot be avoided.

Now, let's consider a simple example to help understand the passage. Imagine you want to bake a cake, but you can't do it without first making the frosting. And, you can't make the frosting without first buying sugar. So, if you want to bake a cake, you can't avoid buying sugar.

The question type is a Parallel question, which asks us to identify the answer choice that exhibits a pattern of reasoning most similar to that in the passage. Let's go through each answer choice:

a) This choice discusses a doctor prescribing porozine and the side effects of anthroxine. However, it doesn't follow the same pattern of reasoning as the passage because it concludes with a likely side effect, rather than a necessary condition like the passage does. So, this choice is not parallel.

b) This choice discusses an ice-sculpture artist achieving levels of achievement. It presents two conditions that must be met to reach the yellow level (achieving green and white levels). Then, it concludes that an artist who has reached the yellow level must have previously achieved the white level. This choice follows the same pattern of reasoning as the passage, so it is the correct answer.

c) This choice discusses identifying mushrooms and the necessity of a powerful microscope. While it does present a necessary condition (examining spores), it doesn't present a second condition that must be met before the first condition, like the passage does. So, this choice is not parallel.

d) This choice discusses becoming fluent in a language through two major ways. It doesn't follow the same pattern of reasoning as the passage because it presents two alternative ways to achieve fluency, rather than a sequence of conditions that must be met. So, this choice is not parallel.

e) This choice discusses dancers in the City Ballet Company and their participation in different ballets. It doesn't follow the same pattern of reasoning as the passage because it concludes with a possibility (some dancers who have danced in Giselle have also danced in Swan Lake), rather than a necessary condition like the passage does. So, this choice is not parallel.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it follows the same pattern of reasoning as the passage by presenting two conditions that must be met in a sequence and concluding that one of the conditions cannot be avoided.