LSAT Explanation PT 34, S2, Q5: Many elementary schools have recently offered

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the students' mixed reactions? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and then move on to the question type and answer choices.

The passage tells us that many elementary schools have introduced computer-assisted educational programs. After several years, students' reactions have been mixed. They found computers very useful for studying arithmetic, of little help for studying science, and of no help at all with their reading and writing skills.

The question type is a Paradox question. It asks us to find the answer choice that most helps to explain the students' mixed reactions to the computer-assisted educational programs.

Now, let's go through the answer choices one by one:

a) Students in these schools began reading and doing arithmetic before learning to use computers.

- This answer choice doesn't necessarily explain why the students found the computers more helpful for arithmetic than for science or reading and writing. It simply states the order in which they learned the subjects. Thus, it doesn't help to resolve the paradox.

b) Of the disciplines and skills mentioned, the exactness of arithmetic makes it most suitable to computer-assisted education.

- This answer choice helps to explain the mixed reactions. If arithmetic is more suitable for computer-assisted education because of its exact nature, then it makes sense that students would find computers more helpful for arithmetic than for the other subjects. This answer choice supports the idea that the nature of the subject itself could be the reason for the varying levels of helpfulness.

c) Many elementary school teachers are reluctant to use computer technology in their classrooms.

- This answer choice doesn't help to explain the mixed reactions, as it doesn't address why students found computers more helpful for arithmetic than for the other subjects. It only addresses the teachers' reluctance to use the technology.

d) Young students are more likely to maintain interest in training programs that use the newest computers and video graphics than in those that do not.

- This answer choice doesn't help to explain the mixed reactions either, as it only addresses the students' interest in the programs, not the varying levels of helpfulness they found in different subjects.

e) The elementary schools have offered more computer-assisted programs in reading and writing than in arithmetic and science.

- This answer choice doesn't explain the mixed reactions. It only states that there were more programs offered in reading and writing, but it doesn't explain why students found computers more helpful for arithmetic.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is B. It helps to explain the mixed reactions by suggesting that the nature of arithmetic makes it more suitable for computer-assisted education, which could be the reason why students found computers more helpful for arithmetic than for the other subjects.