LSAT Explanation PT 22, S2, Q16: Allowing more steel imports would depress

LSAT Question Stem

The pattern of reasoning in the argument above is most similar to that in which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is a Parallel Reasoning question, which means we are looking for an answer choice that has a similar pattern of reasoning to the argument presented in the passage.

The passage's argument can be summarized as follows:

Premise: Allowing more steel imports would harm the domestic steel industry (S -> H).

Premise: The present government will not do anything that would harm the domestic steel industry (G -> /H).

Conclusion: The present government will not lift restrictions on steel imports (G -> R).

Now, let's examine each answer choice and determine which one has a similar pattern of reasoning:

a) Building construction increases only when people are confident that the economy is doing well. Therefore, since people are now confident in the economy we can expect building construction to increase.

This answer choice has a different pattern of reasoning. It suggests a conditional relationship between people's confidence in the economy and building construction (C -> B). However, the conclusion is not as absolute as the one in the passage, as it states "we can expect" instead of a definite outcome. This answer choice is incorrect.

b) Since workers are already guaranteed the right to a safe and healthful workplace by law, there is no need for the government to establish further costly health regulations for people who work all day at computer terminals.

This answer choice does not have a similar pattern of reasoning to the passage. The conclusion "there is no need..." does not provide a definite outcome about whether the regulations will be established or not. This answer choice is incorrect.

c) In countries that have deregulated their airline industry, many airlines have gone bankrupt. Since many companies in other transportation industries are in weaker economic condition than were those airlines, deregulating other transportation industries will probably result in bankruptcies as well.

This answer choice also has a different pattern of reasoning. The conclusion "will probably result..." is not as absolute as the one in the passage. It suggests a likelihood of an outcome, rather than a definite outcome. This answer choice is incorrect.

d) The chief executive officer of Silicon, Inc., will probably not accept stock in the company as a bonus next year, since next year's tax laws will require companies to pay a new tax on stock given to executives.

This answer choice has a different pattern of reasoning as well. The conclusion "will probably not accept stock..." is not as absolute as the one in the passage. It suggests a likelihood of an outcome, rather than a definite outcome. This answer choice is incorrect.

e) The installation of bright floodlights on campus would render the astronomy department's telescope useless. The astronomy department will not support any proposal that would render its telescope useless; it will therefore not support proposals to install bright floodlights on campus.

This answer choice has a similar pattern of reasoning to the passage:

Premise: Installing bright floodlights would make the telescope useless (F -> U).

Premise: The astronomy department would not do anything to make the telescope useless (A -> /U).

Conclusion: The astronomy department will not support the floodlight idea (A -> /F).

Both the passage and this answer choice involve a premise about a negative outcome resulting from a specific action and a premise about an entity not wanting that negative outcome. The conclusions in both cases are absolute and involve the entity not taking the specific action. This answer choice is the correct answer.