LSAT Explanation PT 38, S4, Q2: Ms. Smith: I am upset that

LSAT Question Stem

The principal's response to Ms. Smith's complaint is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. Ms. Smith presents her complaint as a premise: her son's entire class lost two days of recess because some children were throwing raisins, even though her son was not involved. The principal responds with an analogy, comparing the situation to being caught in a traffic jam caused by an accident, where innocent people still have to suffer the consequences. The conclusion here is implied: the principal believes that the mass punishment is justified because, like in a traffic jam, innocent people sometimes have to suffer due to others' actions.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Is the analogy between the mass punishment and a traffic jam valid?"

The question type for this LSAT problem is Flaw, meaning we need to identify the flaw in the principal's response to Ms. Smith's complaint.

Let's examine each answer choice:

a) This answer choice is incorrect because the principal's response does not make a generalization about all the children in the class. Instead, it uses an analogy to justify the mass punishment.

b) This answer choice is also incorrect. The principal's response does suggest that both situations cause inconvenience, but the main issue is not about the level of inconvenience. The flaw lies elsewhere.

c) This is the correct answer. The principal's response fails to acknowledge that a traffic jam following an accident is unavoidable, while the mass punishment was avoidable. The analogy is not valid because the principal has the power to undo the mass punishment, whereas being stuck in a traffic jam is typically beyond anyone's control.

d) This answer choice is incorrect because the principal's response does not assume Ms. Smith's son is guilty. Instead, it argues that even innocent people have to suffer consequences sometimes, as in the traffic jam analogy.

e) This answer choice is incorrect because the principal's response does not attempt to confuse the point at issue by introducing irrelevant facts about the incident. The principal uses the traffic jam analogy to justify the mass punishment, but the flaw lies in the validity of the analogy, not in its relevance.

In summary, the principal's response is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it does not acknowledge the fact that a traffic jam following an accident is unavoidable while the mass punishment was avoidable (Answer Choice C). The analogy between the mass punishment and a traffic jam is not valid, making the principal's argument flawed.