LSAT Explanation PT 31, S2, Q19: If the flowers Drew received today

LSAT Question Stem

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

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage presents two conditional statements:

1. If the sender knows Drew well, they would have sent violets (because Drew prefers violets to roses).

2. If the sender does not know Drew well, they would have sent a signed card.

However, Drew received roses and no card. The conclusion of the argument is that the florist must have made some sort of mistake: either Drew was supposed to receive violets, or a card, or these flowers were intended for someone else.

The question type is a Weaken question, which means we're looking for an answer choice that weakens the conclusion that the florist made a mistake.

Now let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) Most people send roses when they send flowers.

This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't address the specific situation with Drew or the relationship between the premises and the conclusion.

b) Some people send flowers for a reason other than the desire to please.

This answer choice weakens the argument because it provides an alternative explanation for why Drew received roses instead of violets. If the sender didn't care about pleasing Drew, they might have sent roses even if they knew Drew well. This means the florist may not have made a mistake.

c) Someone who does not know Drew well would be unlikely to send Drew flowers.

This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't explain why Drew received roses and no card.

d) The florist has never delivered the wrong flowers to Drew before.

This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't address the current situation. Just because the florist has never made a mistake before doesn't mean they couldn't have made a mistake this time.

e) Some people who know Drew well have sent Drew cards along with flowers.

This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't address the current situation where Drew received no card.

The correct answer is B, as it provides an alternative explanation for why Drew received roses instead of violets, weakening the conclusion that the florist made a mistake.