LSAT Explanation PT 22, S2, Q23: Several carefully conducted studies showed that

LSAT Question Stem

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

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's break down the argument in the passage and identify its structure. The argument states that 75 percent of strict vegetarians reached age 50 without developing serious heart disease, and it concludes that avoiding meat increases one's chances of avoiding serious heart disease. This is the sub-conclusion. The final conclusion is that people who want to reduce the risk of serious heart disease should not eat meat. The flaw in this reasoning is that it doesn't provide a basis for comparison with non-vegetarians.

Think of it like this: If we have two groups of people, one group that eats ice cream every day and another group that never eats ice cream, and we find that 75% of the non-ice cream eaters are happy, we cannot conclude that not eating ice cream makes people happier without comparing it to the happiness levels of the ice cream eaters.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be, "What percentage of non-vegetarians reached age 50 without developing serious heart disease?"

Now let's analyze the answer choices:

a) This answer choice has sound reasoning and doesn't match the structure of the passage's argument. It also doesn't have a sub-conclusion, which the passage does.

b) This answer choice also has sound reasoning and provides a basis for comparison. It is missing a sub-conclusion, which the passage has.

c) This answer choice is missing a sub-conclusion and the conclusion doesn't match that of the passage. It should conclude that "people who want to avoid dental problems should not drink coffee."

d) This answer choice provides a basis for comparison and is missing a sub-conclusion. The conclusion doesn't match that of the passage, as it should state that "people who wish to live a longer life should exercise regularly."

e) This is the correct answer choice. It has the same structure as the passage's argument and commits the same flaw by not providing a basis for comparison with non-exercisers. The sub-conclusion is that exercising regularly decreases one's chances of being overwhelmed by stress, and the final conclusion is that to handle stress better, one should exercise regularly.

Remember that the goal here is to find an answer choice that exhibits a similar flawed pattern of reasoning as the passage's argument. In this case, answer choice (E) is the most similar to the passage's argument and is the correct answer.