LSAT Explanation PT 40, S3, Q16: Logan: Newspapers have always focused on

LSAT Question Stem

On the basis of their statements, Logan and Mendez are committed to disagreeing over whether 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Disagree question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Point At Issue, which means we need to identify the statement over which Logan and Mendez disagree.

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. Logan states that newspapers have always focused on ephemeral matters (premise) and, therefore, old newspapers are useless to historians (conclusion). Mendez counters this by saying that news stories provide valuable information about what people of an era thought and felt (premise), implying that old newspapers are useful to historians (conclusion).

Now, let's discuss the answer choices:

a) Newspapers accurately report the most important changes taking place in a society

- This choice is incorrect because Mendez does not discuss the accuracy of newspapers in reporting important societal changes. They only mention the value of newspapers in understanding people's thoughts and feelings.

b) The study of previous eras should include investigations of the conventions of newspaper reporting

- This choice is incorrect because neither Logan nor Mendez specifically discuss investigating the conventions of newspaper reporting. Their disagreement is about the usefulness of old newspaper stories/reports.

c) Popular art is an important source of information about what the people of previous eras thought and felt

- This choice is incorrect because Logan does not discuss popular art, so there is no clear disagreement between Logan and Mendez on this topic.

d) Newspapers ought to focus more on the types of stories they have glossed over in the past

- This choice is incorrect because neither speaker mentions what newspapers should do. They are concerned about the usefulness of the information contained in newspapers.

e) Newspaper reports from former eras are useful sources of material for understanding the past

- This choice is correct. Logan would disagree with this statement (newspaper stories are not useful), and Mendez would agree (they are useful sources of material for understanding the past).

In conclusion, the correct answer is (e), as it is the statement over which Logan and Mendez have a clear disagreement.