LSAT Explanation PT 24, S3, Q15: Dr. Z:Many of the characterizations of

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following can be properly inferred from Dr. Z's statement? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage. Dr. Z states that many of the characterizations of their work offered by Dr. Q are imprecise, and such characterizations do not provide an adequate basis for sound criticism. This tells us that there are multiple characterizations by Dr. Q that are imprecise, and these imprecise characterizations are not suitable for a good critique. To simplify this, imagine a student receiving feedback on their essay. If the feedback is vague and unclear (imprecise), it won't be helpful for the student to improve their essay (not providing an adequate basis for sound criticism).

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that can be properly inferred from the information provided in the passage.

Let's discuss each answer choice:

a) Some of Dr. Q's characterizations of Dr. Z's work provide an adequate basis for sound criticism of Dr. Z's work.

- This answer choice is incorrect because the passage only tells us about the imprecise characterizations that do not provide an adequate basis for sound criticism. It does not provide any information about whether there are any characterizations that do provide an adequate basis for sound criticism.

b) All of Dr. Q's characterizations of Dr. Z's work that are not imprecise provide an adequate basis for sound criticism of Dr. Z's work.

- This answer choice is incorrect because, like answer choice (a), it assumes that there are characterizations that provide an adequate basis for sound criticism. The passage does not provide any information about the characterizations that are not imprecise.

c) All of the characterizations of Dr. Z's work by Dr. Q that do not provide an adequate basis for sound criticism of Dr. Z's work are imprecise.

- This answer choice is incorrect because it reverses the logic from the passage. While we know that the imprecise characterizations do not provide an adequate basis for sound criticism, there could be other reasons why a characterization might not provide an adequate basis for sound criticism.

d) If the characterization of someone's work is precise, then it provides a sound basis for criticizing that work.

- This answer choice is incorrect because it is too broad. The passage only discusses the relationship between imprecise characterizations and their inability to provide an adequate basis for sound criticism. It does not make a general statement about precise characterizations.

e) At least one of Dr. Q's characterizations of Dr. Z's work fails to provide an adequate basis for sound criticism of that work.

- This answer choice is correct because it can be properly inferred from the passage. Since the passage states that many characterizations are imprecise and do not provide an adequate basis for sound criticism, it is safe to assume that at least one characterization is imprecise and fails to provide an adequate basis for sound criticism. In this context, "at least one" is synonymous with "some," which means that there is a minimum of one characterization that meets this criterion.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (e).