LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and break down the information. We have a patient who is constantly fatigued. It was determined that the patient's sleep, which averages only four to six hours per night, contributes to their fatigue. However, the patient was not advised to sleep more. This creates an apparent discrepancy that we need to resolve.

The question type is a Paradox question, which means we're looking for an answer choice that helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information provided.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) The shorter one's sleep time, the easier it is to awaken from sleeping.

This answer choice doesn't help resolve the discrepancy because it doesn't explain why the patient wasn't advised to sleep more. It only addresses the ease of waking up, not the issue of fatigue.

b) The first two hours of sleep do the most to alleviate fatigue.

This choice might seem tempting, but it doesn't explain why the patient wasn't advised to sleep more. Even if the first two hours are the most important, the passage states that the lack of sleep contributes to the patient's fatigue, so we would still expect the advice to be to sleep more.

c) Some people require less sleep than the eight hours required by the average person.

This choice doesn't resolve the discrepancy because, although some people might need less sleep, we know that this particular patient's lack of sleep contributes to their fatigue. So, it doesn't explain why they weren't advised to sleep more.

d) Most people who suffer from nightmares experience them in the last hour of sleep before waking.

This choice is out of scope, as there's no information connecting nightmares to the patient's fatigue. Additionally, the last hour of sleep would remain the same regardless of how many hours the patient sleeps.

e) Worry about satisfying the need for sufficient sleep can make it more difficult to sleep.

This is the correct answer. It resolves the discrepancy by providing a reason why advising the patient to sleep more might not be helpful. If the patient becomes worried about getting enough sleep, it could actually make it harder for them to sleep, potentially worsening their fatigue.

In conclusion, answer choice E best resolves the apparent discrepancy in the passage by explaining why the patient wasn't advised to sleep more, even though their lack of sleep contributes to their fatigue.