LSAT Explanation PT 43, S3, Q2: The Fenwicks returned home from a
LSAT Question Stem
Each of the following, if true, helps to support the Fenwicks' hypothesis EXCEPT:
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Strengthen question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is E.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The Fenwicks found two broken bottles in their kitchen after returning from a trip. They hypothesized that neighborhood children entered their house through an unlocked back door, attempted to raid the kitchen, and left after breaking the bottles. The cat is considered an alternative explanation for the broken bottles. The passage's structure is:
1. Premise: Two broken bottles were found in the Fenwicks' kitchen.
2. Premise: There was no sign of forced entry and nothing was taken.
3. Premise: The Fenwicks have a pet cat.
4. Conclusion: Neighborhood children entered the house, attempted to raid the kitchen, and left after breaking the bottles.
An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be, "Were there any other possible explanations for the broken bottles besides the neighborhood children or the cat?"
The question type for this problem is Strengthen Except, which means we need to find the answer choice that does not help support the Fenwicks' hypothesis.
a) This answer choice supports the hypothesis by suggesting that the back door may have been open, allowing the neighborhood children to enter. It doesn't confirm that children closed the door, but it does make the hypothesis more plausible.
b) The presence of children's footprints on the back porch strengthens the hypothesis by providing evidence that children were present at the scene.
c) This answer choice supports the hypothesis by reducing the likelihood of the cat being responsible for the broken bottles. If the bottles were in the refrigerator, it is unlikely that the cat could have accessed them, making the neighborhood children a more likely explanation.
d) This answer choice strengthens the hypothesis by suggesting that neighborhood children have been involved in other similar incidents, making it more likely that they were involved in this one as well.
e) This is the correct answer choice because it does not support or undermine the Fenwicks' hypothesis. The length of their vacation has no impact on the likelihood of either the neighborhood children or the cat being responsible for the broken bottles.
In conclusion, answer choice (e) is the correct answer as it does not help support the Fenwicks' hypothesis. The other answer choices all provide some level of support for the hypothesis, making them incorrect for this Strengthen Except question.