LSAT Explanation PT 30, S2, Q5: Parent: I had tried without success

LSAT Question Stem

The parent's experience with the child most closely conforms to which one of the following generalizations? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle (Misc) question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage. The parent tried to get their young child to brush her teeth by setting an example and using reason, but these methods were unsuccessful. Then, the parent started brushing the child's teeth before reading a story at naptime and nighttime. After several weeks, the child began to automatically brush her teeth herself when the parent picked up a storybook. This passage demonstrates that the child learned to brush her teeth through habit and repetition.

The question type for this problem is Principle (Misc), which means we are looking for the principle that is embedded in the stimulus. In other words, we want to find the answer choice that best represents the generalization or principle exemplified by the parent's experience with their child.

Now, let's go through the answer choices:

a) Children are most effectively taught to do something by someone's setting an example.

This answer choice is too strong, as it claims that setting an example is the most effective way to teach children. The passage does not support this, as the child did not learn to brush her teeth by imitating the parent.

b) Children more readily adopt a behavior through habit and repetition than through other means.

This answer choice is correct because it reflects the passage's main idea: the child learned to brush her teeth through habit and repetition, which was more effective than imitation or reason.

c) Children are too young to understand rational arguments for adopting a behavior.

This answer choice offers an explanation for why reasoning didn't work, but there's no evidence in the passage that the explanation is correct. It's possible that children can understand rational arguments, just not for teeth brushing.

d) Children often imitate the behavior of others rather than listening to reason.

This answer choice is tempting, but it contradicts the passage, which states that imitation did not work for the child. Instead, repetition was the successful method.

e) Children ordinarily act contrary to their parents' expectations in order to get more attention.

This answer choice is out of scope, as the passage does not discuss the child's motivation to get more attention.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it best represents the principle exemplified by the parent's experience with their child: children more readily adopt a behavior through habit and repetition than through other means.