LSAT Explanation PT 26, S3, Q24: Over the last 25 years, the

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Weaken, which means we are looking for an answer choice that undermines the conclusion of the argument or the relationship between the premises and the conclusion. The passage's argument can be broken down as follows:

Premise: Over the last 25 years, the average price paid for a new car has steadily increased in relation to average individual income.

Conclusion: This increase indicates that individuals who buy new cars today spend, on average, a larger amount relative to their incomes buying a car than their counterparts did 25 years ago.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are there any other factors contributing to the increase in the average price paid for a new car in relation to average individual income?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices:

a) There has been a significant increase over the last 25 years in the proportion of individuals in households with more than one wage earner.

This answer choice is incorrect because even if households have more wage-earners, it doesn't necessarily undermine the idea that each individual is paying a higher percentage of their income for a new car. We would need more information about households pooling their incomes and purchasing cars to affect the argument.

b) The number of used cars sold annually is the same as it was 25 years ago.

This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument, as it only provides information about the number of used cars sold, not the price of new cars or individual incomes.

c) Allowing for inflation, average individual income has significantly declined over the last 25 years.

This answer choice is consistent with the factual scenario described and could make it more likely that individuals paying higher prices relative to income are responsible for the relative price change in new cars. This cannot be a Weaken answer, so it is incorrect.

d) During the last 25 years, annual new-car sales and the population have both increased, but new-car sales have increased by a greater percentage.

This answer choice is irrelevant because it discusses changes in the number of new cars sold and the population, not changes in the price of new cars and the income of individuals.

e) Sales to individuals make up a smaller proportion of all new-car sales than they did 25 years ago.

This is the correct answer choice. If more new cars are being sold to entities other than individuals (e.g., corporations), then it could be that those entities are paying much higher prices for new cars and are responsible for the relative price change in new cars. This answer poses a potential alternate cause to the one offered by the argument's conclusion, which weakens the argument and makes it the correct choice.