LSAT Explanation PT 40, S3, Q19: Fishing columnist: When an independent research

LSAT Question Stem

Each of the following describes a flaw in the reasoning in the fishing columnist's argument EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down and analyze the argument in the passage. The fishing columnist states that an independent research firm found Benton baits to be the best for catching trout after testing the five best-selling baits with a dozen top anglers fishing for speckled trout in a pristine northern stream. From these results, the columnist concludes that Benton is the best bait for anyone who is fishing for trout.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise: An independent research firm compared the five best-selling baits and found that Benton baits work best for catching trout.

Conclusion: Benton is the best bait for anyone who is fishing for trout.

To better understand the argument, let's use a simple example. Imagine a study comparing the five best-selling brands of running shoes and finding that Brand A shoes help runners achieve the fastest times. The conclusion drawn is that Brand A shoes are the best choice for anyone who wants to run fast.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Does the study account for all possible factors that could affect the effectiveness of the baits in catching trout?"

Now, let's discuss the question and answer choices. The question type is a Flaw question, and we are asked to identify the answer choice that does NOT describe a flaw in the columnist's reasoning.

a) This answer choice points out a flaw - the argument assumes that the best-selling baits are also the most effective baits, which may not be true. There could be a more successful bait that is not among the five best-selling baits.

b) This answer choice also points out a flaw - the argument assumes that what works best for expert anglers will also work best for ordinary anglers, which may not be the case.

c) This answer choice identifies another flaw - the argument assumes that the effectiveness of the baits remains constant across different locations, which may not be true.

d) This answer choice does NOT describe a flaw in the argument. Even if two best-selling brands of bait are equally effective, the conclusion that Benton is the best bait for trout-fishing still holds, as it was found to be the most effective among the five best-selling baits in the study.

e) This answer choice points out a flaw - the argument assumes that the effectiveness of the baits for speckled trout will apply to all varieties of trout, which may not be true.

Therefore, the correct answer is D, as it does not describe a flaw in the columnist's reasoning.