LSAT Explanation PT 41, S3, Q10: Those who have the ability to

LSAT Question Stem

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

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be False question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is a "Cannot Be True" question, which means we are looking for the answer choice that cannot be true based on the information provided in the passage.

First, let's break down the passage into conditional statements:

1. "Those who have the ability to fully concentrate are always of above-average intelligence": Full Concentration (FC) -> Above-Average Intelligence (AAI)

2. "Being successfully trained in speed-reading will usually be accompanied by an increased ability to concentrate": Speed-Reading (SR) -> Usually Increased Concentration (UIC)

Now, let's analyze each answer choice to determine which one cannot be true based on the given conditional statements:

a) Some people can speed-read, and are able to fully concentrate, but are of below-average intelligence.

This answer choice contradicts the first conditional statement (FC -> AAI). If someone can fully concentrate, they must be of above-average intelligence. Therefore, this answer choice cannot be true.

b) All people who can speed-read are of above-average intelligence.

This answer choice is not contradicted by the given conditional statements. It is possible that all people who can speed-read are of above-average intelligence, as speed-reading is usually accompanied by an increased ability to concentrate. This answer choice could be true.

c) Many people of above-average intelligence are unable to fully concentrate.

This answer choice is also not contradicted by the given conditional statements. The passage only states that those who have the ability to fully concentrate are of above-average intelligence, but it does not say that all people of above-average intelligence can fully concentrate. This answer choice could be true.

d) Some people with little ability to concentrate are of below-average intelligence, but can speed-read.

This answer choice is not contradicted by the given conditional statements. The passage only states that being successfully trained in speed-reading usually comes with an increased ability to concentrate; it does not say that everyone who can speed-read has a high ability to concentrate. This answer choice could be true.

e) All people who can speed-read are able to concentrate to some extent.

This answer choice is consistent with the second conditional statement (SR -> UIC). Since speed-reading usually comes with an increased ability to concentrate, it is reasonable to assume that all people who can speed-read can concentrate to some extent. This answer choice could be true.

Based on our analysis, answer choice (a) is the only option that cannot be true according to the given conditional statements in the passage. Therefore, the correct answer is (a).