Unplugged Practice Test: Logical Reasoning Set 1, Question 8 (Parallel Reasoning)
Taking the test? Finish it first. This page shows the answer.
- Parallel Reasoning questions ask you to match the argument's structure.
- Strip the argument down to its skeleton and ignore the topic. Then find the choice with the same skeleton and the same strength of conclusion.
- Every question on this test is original, written to the same logical skeletons as real questions, and Steve checked every one himself before release.
The question
Program director: I will fund a research proposal only if it is methodologically sound and its budget falls under our annual ceiling. The proposal submitted by the Kestrel laboratory is certainly methodologically sound, but its budget is far above our annual ceiling. Therefore, I will not fund that proposal.
8. Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its reasoning to the program director's argument?
- (A)A bridge will close to traffic if it is icy and not treated with salt. This bridge is icy, but it has been treated with salt. Therefore, this bridge will not close to traffic.
- (B)A loaf of bread is properly baked if its crust is firm and its center is fully set. This loaf's crust is firm, and its center is fully set. Therefore, this loaf is properly baked.
- (C)A trail map is reliable only if it lists current trail names and marks every elevation change. This map lists current trail names and marks every elevation change. Therefore, this map is reliable.
- (D)A committee may release its findings only if each member has reviewed the draft and the chair has approved it. Each member of this committee has reviewed the draft, so unless the chair has not approved it, this committee may release its findings.
- (E)A ferry may leave the dock only if its lifeboats are stocked and its hull inspection is current. This ferry's lifeboats are stocked, but its hull inspection is not current. Therefore, this ferry may not leave the dock.
EWhy (E) is correct
A ferry may leave the dock only if its lifeboats are stocked and its hull inspection is current, 2 necessary conditions just like the director's rule that a proposal needs to be methodologically sound and under the annual ceiling. This ferry meets one requirement, its lifeboats are stocked, but fails the other, its hull inspection isn't current, so it may not leave. That's the same shape as Kestrel's proposal: sound but over budget, so not funded.
Why the other answers are wrong
AWhy (A) is wrong
(A) builds on a sufficient-condition rule, icy and untreated triggers closing, and denies one of those triggers instead of failing a necessary condition.
BWhy (B) is wrong
(B) also runs on sufficient conditions that are both satisfied, so it affirms a result rather than denying one.
CWhy (C) is wrong
(C) turns "only if" into two necessary conditions, both met, and reaches a positive verdict, the opposite direction from the director's denial.
DWhy (D) is wrong
(D) hedges its conclusion on whether the chair approved instead of stating a clean denial from one failed requirement.
Common questions
What type of question is this?
Parallel Reasoning. Parallel Reasoning questions ask you to match the argument's structure.
How do I get better at Parallel Reasoning questions?
Strip the argument down to its skeleton and ignore the topic. Then find the choice with the same skeleton and the same strength of conclusion. The free LSAT cheat sheet lists the wrong-answer patterns to watch for on every type.
