LSAT Explanation PT 40, S3, Q25: Inflation rates will not stabilize unless

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is most closely parallel in its reasoning to the reasoning in the argument above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This is a Parallel Reasoning question, which asks us to identify the answer choice that most closely parallels the reasoning in the given argument.

The argument in the passage can be summarized as follows:

1. Inflation rates will not stabilize unless the rate of economic growth decreases (/S -> /G)

2. In order to slow the economy, the full cooperation of world leaders will be required (S -> C)

3. Thus, it would be overly optimistic to expect stable inflation rates in the near future (S is unlikely)

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) This answer choice presents a conditional conclusion (safety improvement ‚Üí employee cooperation), which is different from the original argument's conclusion about the likelihood of a given outcome. If the author had concluded that it's overly optimistic to expect safety improvement, this would have been a better answer choice.

b) The logic in this answer choice is:

1. Improving efficiency eliminate redundancy (E -> R)

2. Eliminate redundancy dismiss senior employees (R -> D)

3. Some senior employees will be dismissed (D)

The conclusion here presupposes the presence of the sufficient condition in the first premise, rather than the absence of the necessary condition in the second. If the author had concluded that it would be overly optimistic to expect improvement in management efficiency, this answer choice would have been correct.

c) The conclusion in this answer choice is conditional, not absolute. Furthermore, there are no logical gaps between the premises and the conclusion, as the combination of the two premises provide sufficient support for the conclusion:

1. Optimal decision Thorough examination (O -> T)

2. Thorough examination Presentation delayed (T -> D)

3. Optimal decision Presentation delayed (O -> D)

d) This is the correct answer choice.

1. Vehicle safety Objective tests (V -> O)

2. Objective tests Cost overruns (O -> C)

3. Vehicle safety is unlikely (V is unlikely)

Both the original argument and this answer choice conclude that the sufficient condition of the first premise is unlikely to be met. This observation alone can help you eliminate four of the five answer choices.

e) The conclusion test can be used to quickly eliminate this answer choice, since an imperative about a certain course of action ("we must not report our poor performance") will never match an objective observation about the likelihood of a given outcome ("it would be overly optimistic to expect stable inflation rates").