LSAT 111 – Section 4 – Question 08

LSAT 111 - Section 4 - Question 08

October 2001

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT111 S4 Q08
+LR
Flaw or descriptive weakening +Flaw
Link Assumption +LinkA
Lack of Support v. False Conclusion +LSvFC
A
2%
150
B
1%
157
C
1%
160
D
0%
155
E
97%
165
124
133
142
 +Easiest 144.86 +SubsectionEasier

J.Y.’s explanation

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It is widely believed that by age 80, perception and memory are each significantly reduced from their functioning levels at age 30. However, a recent study showed no difference in the abilities of 80-year-olds and 30-year-olds to play a card game devised to test perception and memory. Therefore, the belief that perception and memory are significantly reduced by age 80 is false.

Summarize Argument: Counter-Position
The author concludes that the belief that perception and memory are significantly reduced by age 80 is false. She supports this with a recent study showing no difference in the abilities of 80-year-olds and 30-year-olds to play a card game that tests perception and memory.

Identify and Describe Flaw
The author assumes that perception and memory aren't greatly reduced by age 80 simply because 80-year-olds performed just as well as 30-year-olds on the card game. However, she doesn't consider that the game might only test basic levels of perception and memory. If the game requires only a low level of these abilities, the author can't conclude that perception and memory aren't reduced by age 80.

A
the study’s card game does not test cognitive abilities other than perception and memory
This doesn’t impact the argument, so failing to consider it can’t be a flaw. Because the argument only addresses perception and memory, whether the card game tests other cognitive abilities is irrelevant.
B
card games are among the most difficult cognitive tasks one can attempt to perform
We don’t know if this general statement about card games applies to the particular card game designed to test perception and memory. But even if it does, (B) might strengthen the argument by suggesting that 80-year-olds are just as good as 30-year-olds at such a difficult task.
C
perception and memory are interrelated in ways of which we are not currently aware
This doesn’t impact the argument, so failing to consider it can’t be a flaw. The card game showed similar levels of perception and memory between 80-year-olds and 30-year-olds. Whether perception and memory are connected in unknown ways doesn’t affect this outcome.
D
the belief that 80-year-olds’ perception and memory are reduced results from prejudice against senior citizens
Even if this is true, it doesn't point out a flaw in the author’s argument because she’s trying to disprove this belief.
E
playing the study’s card game perfectly requires fairly low levels of perception and memory
The author fails to consider the possibility that the game might only test basic levels of perception and memory. If this is true, then the game would reveal very little about the levels of perception and memory in 80-year-olds vs. in 30-year-olds.

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LSAT PrepTest 111 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Reading Comprehension

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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