LSAT Explanation PT 24, S3, Q14: In an effort to boost sales

LSAT Question Stem

Each of the following, if true, contributes to reconciling the apparent discrepancy indicated above EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and identify the apparent discrepancy. The passage tells us that Foamy Soda lowered its prices during the summer months in an attempt to boost sales. However, despite this price reduction, the sales of Foamy Soda dropped during the summer months. This is a paradox because we would typically expect sales to increase when prices are lowered, especially during a period of high demand.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Paradox question, and it asks us to find the answer choice that does NOT contribute to reconciling the apparent discrepancy described in the passage.

Let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) The soft-drink industry as a whole experienced depressed sales during the summer months.

This answer choice helps to reconcile the paradox because if the entire soft-drink industry experienced a decline in sales, it would make sense that Foamy Soda's sales would also drop, despite the price reduction.

b) Foamy Soda's competitors lowered their prices even more drastically during the summer months.

This answer choice also helps to reconcile the paradox because if Foamy Soda's competitors lowered their prices even more, consumers might have chosen to buy competitor products instead, leading to a drop in Foamy Soda's sales.

c) Because of an increase in the price of sweeteners, the production costs of Foamy Soda rose during the summer months.

This answer choice does NOT help to reconcile the paradox. The increase in production costs doesn't explain why the sales of Foamy Soda dropped during the summer months. We know from the passage that Foamy Soda lowered its prices, so even if the production costs increased, it doesn't provide a reason for the drop in sales.

d) A strike at Foamy Soda's main plant forced production cutbacks that resulted in many stores not receiving their normal shipments during the summer months.

This answer choice helps to reconcile the paradox because if there were production cutbacks and stores didn't receive their normal shipments, it would explain why the sales of Foamy Soda dropped during the summer months, despite the price reduction.

e) The weather during the summer months was unseasonably cool, decreasing the demand for soft drinks.

This answer choice helps to reconcile the paradox because if the weather was unseasonably cool, it could have led to a decrease in the overall demand for soft drinks, which would explain why Foamy Soda's sales dropped even though they lowered their prices.

The correct answer is C, as it is the only answer choice that does not contribute to reconciling the apparent discrepancy in the passage.