LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's summarize and analyze the argument in the passage. The argument states that violent crime in the town is becoming a serious problem because local law enforcement agencies have responded to 17 percent more calls involving violent crimes compared to last year. This, according to the author, shows that the average citizen of this town is more likely than ever to become a victim of a violent crime. The premise here is the increase in calls involving violent crimes, and the conclusion is that the average citizen is more likely to become a victim of a violent crime.

The question type for this problem is Weaken, which means we need to find an answer choice that weakens the conclusion or the relationship between the premise and the conclusion.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Has there been any change in the reporting behavior of citizens or the response rate of law enforcement agencies?"

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) The town's overall crime rate appears to have risen slightly this year compared to the same period last year.

- This answer choice actually strengthens the conclusion, as it supports the idea that crime is increasing in the town. It doesn't weaken the relationship between the premise and the conclusion.

b) In general, persons under the age of 65 are less likely to be victims of violent crimes than persons over the age of 65.

- This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument, as it doesn't provide any information about the change in crime rates or the relationship between the premise and the conclusion.

c) As a result of the town's community outreach programs, more people than ever are willing to report violent crimes to the proper authorities.

- This answer choice weakens the argument by providing an alternative explanation for the increase in calls involving violent crimes. If more people are reporting crimes due to community outreach programs, it doesn't necessarily mean that the crime rate has increased. This answer choice weakens the relationship between the premise and the conclusion, making it the correct answer.

d) In response to worries about violent crime, the town has recently opened a community center providing supervised activities for teenagers.

- This answer choice doesn't directly address the relationship between the premise and the conclusion. While it may suggest a potential solution to the problem, it doesn't weaken the argument.

e) Community officials have shown that a relatively small number of repeat offenders commit the majority of violent crimes in the town.

- This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument, as it doesn't address the increase in calls involving violent crimes or the likelihood of the average citizen becoming a victim. It doesn't weaken the relationship between the premise and the conclusion.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (c), as it provides an alternative explanation for the increase in calls involving violent crimes and weakens the relationship between the premise and the conclusion.