LSAT Explanation PT 30, S4, Q9: Manuscripts written by first-time authors generally

LSAT Question Stem

The structure of which one of the following arguments is most similar to the structure of the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the structure of the argument in the passage. The passage states that manuscripts written by first-time authors generally do not get serious attention by publishers, except when these authors happen to be celebrities. The author then concludes that their manuscript is unlikely to be taken seriously by publishers because they are a first-time author who is not a celebrity.

In this argument, we can identify the following parts:

- Premise: Manuscripts by first-time authors generally do not get serious attention by publishers except when these authors happen to be celebrities.

- Conclusion: My manuscript is unlikely to be taken seriously by publishers for I am a first-time author who is not a celebrity.

Now let's discuss the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Parallel question type, which means we need to find the answer choice that has a similar structure to the argument in the passage.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) This answer choice presents a situation where challengers generally do not win elections unless the incumbent has become very unpopular. The incumbent in this election has become very unpopular, so the conclusion is that the challenger may win. This answer choice does not have the same structure as the passage because the conclusion is not a contrapositive statement like in the original argument.

b) This answer choice discusses fruit salads containing bananas, which are ordinarily boring unless they contain two or more exotic fruits. The fruit salad in question has bananas and only one exotic fruit, guava. Thus, the conclusion is that it will probably be boring. This answer choice has a similar structure to the passage, as it presents a general rule with an exception and then applies that rule to a specific case. The conclusion is also a contrapositive statement like in the original argument, making this the correct answer.

c) This answer choice talks about city council meetings being poorly attended if zoning issues are the only ones on the agenda. The agenda for Thursday is exclusively devoted to zoning, so the conclusion is that the meeting is likely to be poorly attended. This answer choice does not have the same structure as the passage because it does not present a general rule with an exception.

d) This answer choice discusses the distribution of an estate, which generally goes to the spouse or surviving children. In this case, there is no surviving spouse, so the conclusion is that the bulk of the estate is likely to go to the surviving children. This answer choice does not have the same structure as the passage because it presents a choice between two options, rather than a general rule with an exception.

e) This answer choice states that normally, about 40 percent of the deer population will die over the winter unless it is extremely mild. The percentage of the deer population that died over the recent winter was the normal 40 percent, so the conclusion is that the recent winter was not unusually mild. This answer choice does not have the same structure as the passage because it does not present a general rule with an exception and the conclusion is not a contrapositive statement.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it has a similar structure to the argument in the passage, presenting a general rule with an exception and having a contrapositive statement as the conclusion.