LSAT Explanation PT 33, S1, Q15: People who are good at playing

LSAT Question Stem

The flawed pattern of reasoning in the argument above is most similar to that in which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the structure of the argument in the passage:

Premise 1: People who are good at playing the game Drackedary (D) are invariably skilled with their hands (SH).

Premise 2: Mary is a very competent watchmaker (M).

Conclusion: Mary would make a good Drackedary player (D).

The argument assumes that being a competent watchmaker (M) is equivalent to being skilled with one's hands (SH) and then makes a Mistaken Reversal using that assumption. To better understand this, let's use a simple example. Suppose that all soccer players are athletic, and John is athletic. We cannot conclude that John is a soccer player because there might be other sports that require athleticism.

Now, let's move on to the question type for this problem, which is Parallel Flaw. We are asked to find an answer choice that contains a similar flawed pattern of reasoning to the one in the passage.

Before discussing the answer choices, let's create an "Evaluate" question for the argument: "Is being a competent watchmaker equivalent to being skilled with one's hands?"

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) People with long legs make good runners. Everyone in Daryl's family has long legs. Therefore, Daryl would make a good runner.

This answer choice contains valid reasoning, as it assumes that if everyone in Daryl's family has long legs, Daryl must also have long legs. However, we are looking for an answer with flawed reasoning, so we can eliminate this choice.

b) People who write for a living invariably enjoy reading. Julie has been a published novelist for many years. Therefore, Julie enjoys reading.

The conclusion in this answer choice ("Julie enjoys reading") is not similar to the conclusion in the passage ("Mary would make a good Drackedary player"), so we can eliminate this choice.

c) All race car drivers have good reflexes. Chris is a champion table tennis player. Therefore, Chris would make a good race car driver.

This answer choice equates two different terms (champion table tennis player = great reflexes) and then makes a Mistaken Reversal, just like the argument in the passage. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

d) The role of Santa Claus in a shopping mall is often played by an experienced actor. Erwin has played Santa Claus in shopping malls for years. Therefore, Erwin must be an experienced actor.

The conclusion in this answer choice ("Erwin must be an experienced actor") is not similar to the conclusion in the passage ("Mary would make a good Drackedary player"), so we can eliminate this choice.

e) Any good skier can learn to ice-skate eventually. Erica is a world-class skier. Therefore, Erica could learn to ice-skate in a day or two.

The conclusion in this answer choice ("Erica could learn to ice-skate in a day or two") is not similar to the conclusion in the passage ("Mary would make a good Drackedary player"), so we can eliminate this choice.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (c), as it contains a similar flawed pattern of reasoning to the one in the passage.