LSAT Explanation PT 25, S4, Q22: Sarah: Some schools seek to foster
LSAT Question Stem
The main point at issue between Sarah and Paul is whether
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Disagree question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is C.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
In this passage, Sarah and Paul are discussing a policy that requires students to perform community service in order to foster a habit of volunteering. Sarah argues that this policy cannot succeed by itself because forced community service is not genuine volunteering, and a habit of volunteering cannot be fostered without actual volunteering. Paul disagrees, stating that some students forced to perform community service have enjoyed it and later volunteered for similar activities, thus suggesting that the policy can foster a habit of volunteering in some cases.
The argument structure is as follows:
- Sarah's premise: A person who has been forced to do something has not really volunteered.
- Sarah's premise: The habit of volunteering cannot be said to have been fostered in a person who has not yet volunteered for anything.
- Sarah's conclusion: There is no way this policy can succeed by itself.
- Paul's premise: Some students forced to perform community service have enjoyed it so much that they subsequently actually volunteer to do something similar.
- Paul's conclusion: In such cases, the policy can clearly be said to have fostered a habit of volunteering.
The question type is a Disagree question, asking us to identify the main point at issue between Sarah and Paul.
Let's analyze each answer choice:
a) This answer choice focuses on whether an individual forced to perform a task can be said to have genuinely volunteered. While Sarah would likely disagree with this statement, Paul's opinion on this specific point is not clear. His argument is about whether the policy can foster a habit of volunteering, not whether forced community service is genuine volunteering. Therefore, this answer choice is not the main point at issue.
b) This answer choice discusses the enjoyment of community service for individuals who are forced to perform it. While Paul mentions that some students have enjoyed it, Sarah does not address this point in her argument. Therefore, we cannot determine her opinion on this matter, making this answer choice incorrect.
c) This answer choice directly addresses the disagreement between Sarah and Paul. Sarah argues that being forced to perform community service cannot encourage a genuine habit of volunteering, while Paul provides a counterexample where the policy does foster a habit of volunteering in some students. Therefore, this answer choice is the main point at issue between them and is the correct answer.
d) This answer choice focuses on the possibility of schools developing policies that foster the habit of volunteering in their students. While Paul would likely agree with this statement, Sarah does not explicitly discuss the possibility of other policies. Her argument is limited to the specific policy of requiring community service. Therefore, we cannot determine her opinion on this matter, making this answer choice incorrect.
e) This answer choice discusses whether students who develop a habit of volunteering while in school are inclined to perform community service later in their lives. Neither Sarah nor Paul addresses this point in their arguments, making this answer choice incorrect.
In conclusion, the correct answer is (c), as it directly captures the disagreement between Sarah and Paul regarding whether being forced to perform community service can encourage a genuine habit of volunteering in students.