LSAT Explanation PT 39, S2, Q5: We are taught that pedestrians should

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the statistical claim cited above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage. The passage tells us that pedestrians are taught to cross at a corner, and that jaywalking is considered dangerous and illegal. It also mentions that drivers are more likely to anticipate people crossing at corners than jaywalking. Based on this information, we might infer that crossing at a corner is safer than jaywalking. However, the passage also states that more pedestrians die crossing at corners than while jaywalking. Our task is to explain this statistical claim.

The question type here is a Paradox question, which asks us to find an answer choice that helps explain the discrepancy or apparent contradiction in the given information.

Now let's go through each answer choice:

a) Far more pedestrians cross at corners than jaywalk.

This answer choice provides a reasonable explanation for the statistical claim. If a significantly larger number of pedestrians cross at corners than jaywalk, it is likely that more pedestrians would die crossing at corners, even if it is generally safer. The higher number of pedestrians crossing at corners could lead to a higher number of fatalities, despite the lower risk associated with crossing at corners.

b) Some people jaywalk only when there is little traffic.

This answer choice is not as strong as choice A because it only refers to "some" people and "little traffic." It does not provide a clear explanation for the discrepancy between the expectation that crossing at corners is safer and the statistical claim that more pedestrians die crossing at corners. If the statement were stronger, such as "people jaywalk only when there is no traffic," it might be a more plausible explanation. However, as it stands, this answer choice is too vague and uncertain to effectively explain the statistical claim.

c) Drivers are often unfamiliar with the laws concerning jaywalking.

This answer choice does not help explain the statistical claim because it focuses on drivers' knowledge of jaywalking laws rather than the actual behavior of pedestrians and drivers. The passage is concerned with the safety of crossing at corners versus jaywalking, not the legal knowledge of drivers.

d) Traffic laws in most locations state that the pedestrian always has the right of way, whether or not the pedestrian is crossing at a corner.

This answer choice also does not help explain the statistical claim, as it focuses on traffic laws rather than the actual behavior of pedestrians and drivers. The passage is concerned with the safety of crossing at corners versus jaywalking, not the legal rights of pedestrians.

e) Good drivers anticipate jaywalkers as much as they anticipate pedestrians crossing at corners.

This answer choice does not provide a clear explanation for the statistical claim. It only addresses the behavior of "good drivers" and does not give us any information about the proportion of good drivers to other drivers. Furthermore, even if good drivers anticipate jaywalkers as much as pedestrians crossing at corners, this does not explain why more pedestrians die crossing at corners than while jaywalking.

In summary, the correct answer is A, as it provides the most plausible explanation for the statistical claim that more pedestrians die crossing at corners than while jaywalking. It suggests that the higher number of fatalities at corners could be due to the significantly larger number of pedestrians crossing at corners, despite the lower risk associated with crossing at corners compared to jaywalking.