LSAT Explanation PT 32, S1, Q6: Hana said she was not going

LSAT Question Stem

A reasoning error in the argument is that the argument 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In this passage, the argument presents a situation where Hana said she wasn't going to invite her brothers to her birthday party. However, she received a recording as a gift at her party, which her brothers had planned to give her. The conclusion drawn is that at least some of Hana's brothers must have been among the guests at her birthday party after all.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise 1: Hana said she wasn't going to invite her brothers to her birthday party.

Premise 2: Hana received a recording as a gift at her party, which her brothers had planned to give her.

Conclusion: At least some of Hana's brothers must have been among the guests at her birthday party.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Could anyone else have given Hana the recording as a gift?"

The question type is Flaw, which asks us to identify a reasoning error in the argument. The correct answer is D.

Answer choice explanations:

a) The argument does not discuss a change of mind or change in circumstances, so this answer choice does not address the reasoning error.

b) The argument does not treat someone's presence at the event as a guarantee of having a legitimate reason to be there. Instead, it assumes that the presence of the recording indicates that Hana's brothers were present. This answer choice does not address the reasoning error.

c) The argument does not involve the use of a term that is intrinsically evaluative as though it was purely descriptive. This answer choice does not address the reasoning error.

d) This answer choice correctly identifies the reasoning error. The argument fails to establish that Hana's brothers were the only people who could have given her the recording as a gift. It is possible that someone else could have given her the same gift or her brothers could have sent the gift without attending the party.

e) The argument does not involve the compatibility of a person's interests. This answer choice does not address the reasoning error.

In summary, the correct answer is D because the argument fails to establish that Hana's brothers were the only people who could have given her the recording as a gift. This leaves open the possibility that someone else could have given her the same gift or her brothers could have sent the gift without attending the party, which weakens the conclusion that at least some of Hana's brothers must have been among the guests at her birthday party.