LSAT Explanation PT 37, S2, Q13: Adam: Marking road edges with reflecting

LSAT Question Stem

Aiesha responds to Adam's argument by 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. Adam presents the following argument:

Premise: Marking road edges with reflecting posts gives drivers a clear view of the edges.

Conclusion: Marking road edges with reflecting posts will decrease the annual number of road accidents.

Aiesha responds by pointing out that drivers exceed the speed limit more frequently and drive close to the road edge more frequently on roads that are marked with reflecting posts than on similar roads without posts, which are driving behaviors that cause road accidents.

The question type of this problem is Flaw, and we are asked to identify how Aiesha responds to Adam's argument.

Now let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) Aiesha does not question Adam's assertion that reflecting posts give drivers a clear view of road edges. In fact, she agrees with this premise but challenges the conclusion.

b) Aiesha does not present a possible alternative method for decreasing road accidents. She only challenges Adam's conclusion.

c) This answer choice is correct. Aiesha raises a consideration that challenges the argument's assumption that facilitating safe driving (giving drivers a clear view of the edges) will result in safer driving. She points out that drivers actually engage in more dangerous behaviors on roads with reflecting posts.

d) Aiesha does not deny that the drivers' view of the road is relevant to the number of road accidents. She agrees that reflecting posts give drivers a clear view of the edges, but she challenges the assumption that this will lead to safer driving.

e) Aiesha does not provide additional evidence to undermine the claim that safer driving does not necessarily reduce the number of road accidents. Instead, she provides evidence that challenges the assumption that facilitating safe driving (through reflecting posts) will result in safer driving.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Do the driving behaviors that Aiesha mentions actually result in a higher number of road accidents?"

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as Aiesha raises a consideration that challenges the argument's assumption that facilitating safe driving will result in safer driving.