LSAT Explanation PT 32, S1, Q10: To accommodate the personal automobile, houses

LSAT Question Stem

The argument's reasoning is questionable because the argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument presented in the passage. The passage states that houses are built on widely scattered lots far from places of work and shopping malls have immense parking lots due to the personal automobile. Therefore, if people did not use personal automobiles, the geography of modern cities would be different from what we have now. In this argument, the premise is that personal automobiles have led to the specific geography of modern cities, and the conclusion is that without personal automobiles, the geography of modern cities would be different.

The structure of the argument can be represented as: Personal Automobiles (A) ‚Üí Specific Geography (B). The conclusion states that if there were no personal automobiles (~A), then the geography would be different (~B). However, the argument assumes that personal automobiles are the only cause for the specific geography and that no other factors could contribute to it.

Now, let's consider the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Flaw question, which means we need to identify the flaw in the argument's reasoning.

Let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) infers from the idea that the current geography of modern cities resulted from a particular cause that it could only have resulted from that cause

This answer choice correctly identifies the flaw in the argument. The argument assumes that personal automobiles are the only cause for the specific geography of modern cities, and without them, the geography would be different. This answer choice is correct.

b) infers from the idea that the current geography of modern cities resulted from a particular cause that other facets of modern life resulted from that cause

This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not make any claims about other facets of modern life. It only discusses the geography of modern cities.

c) overlooks the fact that many technological innovations other than the personal automobile have had some effect on the way people live

This answer choice is incorrect because it does not directly address the flaw in the argument. While it's true that other technological innovations may have impacted the way people live, the argument is specifically about the geography of modern cities, not the overall way people live.

d) takes for granted that shopping malls do not need large parking lots even given the use of the personal automobile

This answer choice is incorrect because it misrepresents the argument. The passage actually states that shopping malls have immense parking lots due to personal automobiles, not that they do not need them.

e) takes for granted that people ultimately want to live without personal automobiles

This answer choice is incorrect because the argument does not make any claims about people's preferences regarding personal automobiles. The argument is focused on the geography of modern cities and the impact of personal automobiles on it.

In conclusion, the correct answer is choice A, as it accurately identifies the flaw in the argument's reasoning.