LSAT Explanation PT 36, S1, Q15: In one study, engineering students who

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the argument in the passage. The author presents two studies as premises:

1. Engineering students who used simple materials (toothpicks and string) did just as well as those who used expensive computers with advanced graphics.

2. Military personnel who trained on a costly high-tech simulator performed no better than those who trained using an inexpensive cardboard model.

From these premises, the author draws the conclusion: One should not always purchase technologically advanced educational tools.

Now, let's think of an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Are there any other factors that could affect the performance of students and military personnel besides the educational tools used?"

The question type for this problem is Principle, asking us to find the principle that most helps to justify the reasoning in the passage.

Answer Choices:

a) One should use different educational tools to teach engineering to civilians than are used to train military personnel.

- This answer choice doesn't address the author's conclusion about the cost-effectiveness of technologically advanced educational tools. It focuses on the difference between civilian and military training, which is not relevant to the argument.

b) High-tech solutions to modern problems are ineffective unless implemented by knowledgeable personnel.

- This answer choice doesn't strengthen the author's conclusion, as it suggests that high-tech solutions could be effective if used by knowledgeable personnel. The author's argument is about the cost-effectiveness of advanced educational tools, not their potential effectiveness with knowledgeable users.

c) Spending large sums of money on educational tools is at least as justified for nonmilitary training as it is for military training.

- This answer choice doesn't support the author's conclusion that one shouldn't always purchase technologically advanced educational tools. Instead, it suggests that spending money on such tools is equally justified in both contexts, which doesn't strengthen the argument.

d) One should not invest in expensive teaching aids unless there are no other tools that are less expensive and at least as effective.

- This is the correct answer choice. This principle aligns with the author's conclusion that one shouldn't always purchase advanced educational tools. If this principle is valid, it supports the idea that less expensive, equally effective tools should be used instead of costly advanced tools.

e) One should always provide students with a variety of educational materials so that each student can find the materials that best suit that student's learning style.

- This answer choice doesn't directly address the author's conclusion about the cost-effectiveness of advanced educational tools. It focuses on providing a variety of materials to cater to different learning styles, which is not the main point of the argument.

In summary, the correct answer choice is (d), as it provides a principle that strengthens the author's conclusion that one shouldn't always purchase technologically advanced educational tools.