LSAT Explanation PT 19, S4, Q13: Some people think that in every
LSAT Question Stem
Assuming that the author's statements are accurate, which one of the following statements CANNOT be true?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Must Be False question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is E.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
This LSAT problem is a "Cannot Be True" question, which means we need to identify the answer choice that conflicts with the information provided in the passage, assuming that the author's statements are accurate.
Passage Summary:
The author believes that all effective politicians must be deceitful, and someone who is scrupulously honest will never be an effective politician.
Now let's evaluate each answer choice:
Answer choice (A): Some people think all politicians are rotten.
- This statement could be true, as the passage does not provide information on everyone's beliefs about politicians. It only mentions that some people think there are only a few rotten politicians in every barrel.
Answer choice (B): Some politicians are scrupulously honest.
- This statement could also be true. The passage does not claim that all politicians are deceitful, just that effective politicians must be deceitful. There could be honest politicians who are not effective.
Answer choice (C): Some people define a politician's job as obeying the rules of society.
- This statement is possible, as the passage does not describe every person's definition of a politician's job. It only discusses the author's belief about effective politicians needing to be deceitful.
Answer choice (D): Some deceitful politicians are ineffective.
- This statement could be true, as the passage does not claim that deceitfulness guarantees effectiveness. The author only states that being honest prevents a politician from being effective.
Answer choice (E): Some scrupulously honest politicians are effective.
- This is the correct answer choice, as it cannot be true based on the passage. The author clearly states that someone who is scrupulously honest will never be an effective politician. Therefore, this statement conflicts with the author's assertion.
In conclusion, the answer to this "Cannot Be True" question is choice (E), as it directly contradicts the information provided in the passage.