LSAT Explanation PT 32, S1, Q13: City council member: Despite the city's

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately and completely expresses the main conclusion of the city council member's argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Main Conclusion question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The city council member is discussing the mayor's actions in blocking attempts to pass legislation imposing real estate development fees. The council member believes that the mayor is sacrificing the city's interests for personal interests. The mayor argues that such fees would reduce the number of building starts and result in a revenue loss. However, the council member points out that the mayor's family is heavily involved in real estate development and thus has a financial interest in the matter.

The argument has the following structure:

1. Premise: The city needs to exploit any available source of revenue.

2. Premise: The mayor has blocked attempts to pass legislation imposing real estate development fees.

3. Premise: The mayor's family is heavily involved in real estate development and has a strong financial interest in the matter.

4. Conclusion: In blocking council members' attempts to impose real estate development fees, the mayor is sacrificing the city's interests to personal interests.

Now, let's examine each answer choice to determine which one most accurately and completely expresses the main conclusion of the city council member's argument.

a) Imposing real estate development fees is the best way for the city to exploit the available sources of revenue.

- This answer choice focuses on the method of generating revenue rather than the council member's main conclusion about the mayor's actions. It is not the main conclusion of the argument.

b) The city would benefit financially from the passage of legislation imposing real estate development fees.

- While this statement supports the council member's argument, it is not the main conclusion. The main conclusion is focused on the mayor's actions and motivations, not the benefits of the legislation.

c) In blocking council members' attempts to impose real estate development fees, the mayor is sacrificing the city's interests to personal interests.

- This answer choice accurately and completely expresses the main conclusion of the city council member's argument. The council member believes that the mayor is putting personal interests above the city's interests.

d) Significantly reducing the number of building starts would not, on balance, result in revenue loss to the city.

- This statement addresses the mayor's counterargument but does not express the main conclusion of the council member's argument. The main conclusion is focused on the mayor's actions and motivations, not the consequences of reduced building starts.

e) The mayor's family has a strong financial interest in preventing the passage of legislation that would impose real estate development fees.

- While this statement is a premise in the council member's argument, it is not the main conclusion. The main conclusion is focused on the mayor's actions and motivations in blocking the legislation.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is C, as it most accurately and completely expresses the main conclusion of the city council member's argument: In blocking council members' attempts to impose real estate development fees, the mayor is sacrificing the city's interests to personal interests.