LSAT Explanation PT 30, S2, Q10: Goswami: I support the striking workers

LSAT Question Stem

Goswami and Nordecki disagree over the truth of which one of the following statements? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Disagree question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. Goswami states that he supports the striking workers at Ergon Foods because they are underpaid, with the majority of them making less than $20,000 per year. This is Goswami's premise. Nordecki, on the other hand, disagrees and states that if pay is the issue, the average annual salary of the striking workers at Ergon Foods is over $29,000. This is Nordecki's premise. The disagreement between Goswami and Nordecki is the conclusion of the argument.

The question type is Disagree, which asks us to identify the statement that Goswami and Nordecki disagree over. Let's analyze each answer choice.

a) The average annual salary at Ergon Foods is over $29,000.

Goswami does not mention the average annual salary, so we cannot determine if he agrees or disagrees with this statement. Nordecki does mention this fact, but since we don't know Goswami's stance, this answer choice is incorrect.

b) Pay is the primary issue over which the workers are striking at Ergon Foods.

Neither Goswami nor Nordecki explicitly mention the primary reason for the strike. Goswami states his reason for supporting the strike, but this doesn't necessarily mean it's the primary reason for the workers. Nordecki only disagrees if pay is the issue, but we don't know if it's the primary issue. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

c) It is reasonable to support striking workers who are underpaid.

Goswami clearly agrees with this statement since he supports the striking workers due to their underpayment. However, we don't know Nordecki's stance on whether it's reasonable to support underpaid workers in general. He only disagrees with Goswami's claim that these specific workers are underpaid. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

d) The striking workers at Ergon Foods are underpaid.

This is the correct answer. Goswami explicitly states that the striking workers are underpaid, while Nordecki disagrees with this statement by providing the average annual salary as evidence. Both parties have clear stances on this statement, making it the point of disagreement.

e) It was unreasonable for the workers at Ergon Foods to go on strike.

We can infer that Goswami likely disagrees with this statement since he supports the striking workers. However, we don't know Nordecki's opinion on the reasonableness of the workers going on strike. He disagrees with Goswami's claim that they are underpaid, but that doesn't necessarily mean he thinks the strike is unreasonable. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (d) The striking workers at Ergon Foods are underpaid, as this is the statement that Goswami and Nordecki disagree over based on their premises.