LSAT Explanation PT 30, S2, Q12: Despite the fact that antilock brakes

LSAT Question Stem

Each of the following, if true, would help resolve the apparent discrepancy described above EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and break it down. The passage states that even though antilock brakes are designed to make driving safer, research suggests that people who drive cars equipped with antilock brakes have more accidents than those who drive cars without antilock brakes. This presents a paradox because we would expect the opposite to be true.

The question type is a Paradox question, which asks us to identify the answer that does NOT help resolve the apparent discrepancy described in the passage. Let's go through each answer choice and evaluate them based on whether they help explain the paradox or not.

a) Most cars equipped with antilock brakes are, on average, driven more carelessly than cars not equipped with antilock brakes.

- This answer choice would help resolve the paradox because if drivers of cars with antilock brakes are more careless, it would explain why they have more accidents despite having a safety feature.

b) Antilock brakes malfunction more often than regular brakes.

- This answer choice would also help resolve the paradox. If antilock brakes malfunction more often, it would make sense that cars with these brakes have more accidents.

c) Antilock brakes require expensive specialized maintenance to be even as effective as unmaintained regular brakes.

- This answer choice could help resolve the paradox, albeit weakly. If antilock brakes require expensive maintenance to be effective, it's possible that some drivers may not maintain them properly, leading to more accidents.

d) Most people who drive cars equipped with antilock brakes do not know how to use those brakes properly.

- This answer choice helps resolve the paradox. If drivers don't know how to use antilock brakes properly, it would explain why they have more accidents despite having a safety feature.

e) Antilock brakes were designed for safety in congested urban driving, but accidents of the most serious nature take place on highways.

- This answer choice does not help resolve the paradox, as it focuses on the seriousness of accidents rather than the number of accidents. The passage's paradox is about the number of accidents, not their severity. Therefore, this is the correct answer choice.

In summary, answer choice E is the correct answer because it does not help to resolve the paradox described in the passage, while the other answer choices provide some explanation for the discrepancy.