LSAT Explanation PT 36, S1, Q2: Nutritionist: Recently a craze has developed

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the nutritionist's argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In this LSAT problem, we have a Weaken question. Let's first analyze the argument in the passage:

Nutritionist: There is no indication that juice separated from the pulp of the fruit or vegetable has any properties that it does not have when unseparated.

Conclusion: Save your money. If you want carrot juice, eat a carrot.

The nutritionist's argument is based on the premise that separated juice doesn't have any additional benefits compared to unseparated juice. The conclusion is that people should save their money and not buy a juicer.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are there any other reasons people might prefer juice separated from the pulp over unseparated juice?"

Now let's discuss each answer choice:

a) Most people find it much easier to consume a given quantity of nutrients in liquid form than to eat solid foods containing the same quantity of the same nutrients.

This answer choice is correct because it provides an alternative reason for people to prefer juice separated from the pulp: it's easier to consume nutrients in liquid form. This weakens the nutritionist's argument that people should save their money and not buy a juicer.

b) Drinking juice from home juicers is less healthy than is eating fruits and vegetables because such juice does not contain the fiber that is eaten if one consumes the entire fruit or vegetable.

This answer choice actually strengthens the nutritionist's argument by providing another reason not to buy a juicer: it's less healthy than eating the whole fruit or vegetable.

c) To most people who would be tempted to buy a home juicer, $300 would not be a major expense.

This answer choice doesn't weaken the argument because it doesn't address the nutritionist's premise or conclusion. The argument isn't about whether the juicer is affordable; it's about whether there are additional benefits to separated juice.

d) The nutritionist was a member of a panel that extensively evaluated early prototypes of home juicers.

This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument. The nutritionist's expertise or experience with home juicers doesn't affect the validity of the argument.

e) Vitamin pills that supposedly contain nutrients available elsewhere only in fruits and vegetables often contain a form of those compounds that cannot be as easily metabolized as the varieties found in fruits and vegetables.

This answer choice is also irrelevant to the argument, as it discusses vitamin pills instead of juicers or separated juice.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it provides an alternative reason for people to prefer juice separated from the pulp, thus weakening the nutritionist's argument that people should save their money and not buy a juicer.