LSAT Explanation PT 39, S2, Q24: Good students learn more than what

LSAT Question Stem

If the statements above are true, each of the following could also be true EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be False question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This is a Cannot Be True question, which asks us to identify the answer choice that cannot be true based on the given information in the passage. The passage contains a series of conditional statements that we can represent as follows:

GS = good student

LM = learn more than what their parents and teachers compel them to learn

DP = derive pleasure from the satisfaction of their curiosity

CC = capable of concentrating on a topic so intently that one loses track of one’s own identity

1. First sentence: GS -> LM

2. Second sentence, first part: LM -> DP

3. Second sentence, second part: DP -> CC

Chain of all statements: GS -> LM -> DP -> CC

Now let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Some people who are capable of becoming so absorbed in a topic that they lose track of their own identities are nevertheless incapable of deriving pleasure from the satisfaction of their curiosity.

- This answer choice states that CC is true but DP is not. Since CC is a necessary condition and not a sufficient condition, this scenario could happen, making this answer choice incorrect.

b) Most good students do not derive pleasure from the satisfaction of their curiosity.

- This is the correct answer choice. According to the chain of statements (GS -> LM -> DP -> CC), every good student (GS) must derive pleasure from the satisfaction of their curiosity (DP). Therefore, it cannot be true that most good students do not derive pleasure from the satisfaction of their curiosity.

c) Many people who derive pleasure simply from the satisfaction of their curiosity are not good students.

- This answer choice states that DP is true but GS is not. Since DP is a necessary condition and not a sufficient condition, this scenario could happen, making this answer choice incorrect.

d) Some people who are not good students derive pleasure from losing track of their own identities.

- The passage only provides information about good students (GS) and does not address people who are not good students. Thus, we cannot make any judgment about these individuals, making this answer choice incorrect.

e) Most people who are capable of becoming so absorbed in a topic that they lose track of their own identities are not good students.

- This answer choice states that CC is true but GS is not. Since CC is a necessary condition and not a sufficient condition, this scenario could happen, making this answer choice incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (b) because it cannot be true based on the given information in the passage.