LSAT Explanation PT 38, S1, Q17: In order to determine automobile insurance

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Weaken question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage is discussing how automobile insurance premiums are calculated based on various risk factors. The main conclusion of the argument is that insurance premiums should increase with the frequency with which a person drives. The reason for this conclusion is that a person's chance of being involved in a mishap increases in proportion to the number of times that person drives. In other words, the more someone drives, the higher their risk of an accident, and thus, their insurance premium should be higher.

To better understand this, let's consider a simple example. Imagine two people, Alice and Bob. Alice drives 100 times a year, while Bob drives only 10 times a year. If they both have a 5% chance of getting into an accident each time they drive, Alice's overall risk of getting into an accident during the year is higher than Bob's because she drives more often. Therefore, according to the argument, Alice's insurance premium should be higher than Bob's.

Now, let's consider an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Does the driving frequency have any other effects on the driver's ability to avoid accidents?"

The question type of this problem is Weaken, and we are asked to find the answer choice that most undermines the argument.

a) This answer choice compares where infrequent drivers are more likely to have accidents (on small roads vs. highways). However, it doesn't provide a comparison between infrequent and frequent drivers, so it doesn't undermine the main conclusion.

b) Correct answer. If people who drive infrequently are less likely to follow rules for safe driving than those who drive frequently, it suggests that driving less frequently might have a negative effect on a person's driving skills, making them more accident-prone. This undermines the argument's conclusion that insurance premiums should increase with driving frequency.

c) This answer choice actually strengthens the argument by suggesting that infrequent drivers are safer (less likely to violate local speed limits) than frequent drivers.

d) This answer choice is irrelevant because it discusses long-distance trips, which doesn't directly relate to the relationship between driving frequency and accident risk.

e) This answer choice also strengthens the argument by suggesting that frequent drivers are more likely to become distracted while driving, which could increase their risk of accidents.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it undermines the argument by suggesting that driving infrequently might have a negative effect on a person's driving skills and accident risk, contrary to the main conclusion that insurance premiums should increase with driving frequency.