LSAT Explanation PT 24, S3, Q21: The amount of electricity consumed in

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following arguments has a pattern of reasoning most similar to the one in the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage's argument. The passage states that the amount of electricity consumed in Millville on any day in August is directly proportional to peak humidity on that day. This means that as the peak humidity increases, the amount of electricity consumed also increases, and vice versa. This relationship is a premise of the argument. The passage then presents another premise, which is that the average peak humidity this August was three points higher than the average peak humidity last August. Based on these two premises, the passage concludes that more energy was consumed in Millville this August than last August.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Parallel question type, which means we need to find the answer choice that has a pattern of reasoning most similar to the one in the passage's argument.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) In this choice, the amount of art supplies used in any of the Aesthetic Institute's 25 classes is directly proportional to the number of students in that class, which is similar to the relationship between electricity consumption and peak humidity in the passage. The choice then states that the institute enrolled 20 percent more students overall last year than in the previous year, which is similar to the premise about the average peak humidity being higher in the passage. Based on these premises, the choice concludes that more art supplies were used in the institute's classes last year than in the previous year, which parallels the conclusion in the passage. Therefore, this choice is the correct answer.

b) This choice talks about the number of courses in painting being directly proportional to the number of students enrolled in the institute, but it introduces a third element, sculpture courses, which is not present in the passage's argument. The conclusion also compares painting and sculpture courses, while the passage's conclusion compares electricity consumption between two different months. This choice is not a match.

c) This choice states that the number of new students enrolled at the Aesthetic Institute is directly proportional to the amount of advertising the institute has done in the previous year, but the conclusion is not comparative like the passage's conclusion. Instead, it is conditional, stating that if the institute seeks to increase its student body, it must increase the amount it spends on advertising. This choice does not match the passage's argument.

d) In this choice, the fees paid by a student at the Aesthetic Institute are directly proportional to the number of classes in which that student enrolls. However, the second premise talks about the number of students at the Aesthetic Institute increasing, which is not related to the first premise's comparison. The conclusion also discusses the institute collecting a greater amount in fees, which is not a comparative conclusion like the passage's conclusion. This choice is not a match.

e) This choice has a premise mismatch, as the comparison in the first premise is comparing three things (instructors, classes, and students) instead of two (electricity consumption and peak humidity). It is also missing a second premise, making it an incorrect match for the passage's argument.

In conclusion, the correct answer is choice A, as it has a pattern of reasoning most similar to the one in the passage's argument.