LSAT Explanation PT 43, S2, Q11: After examining the options, the budget

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning in the argument above is most closely paralleled by that in which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that the budget committee found QI's office-phone system to be within the cost limit. It then concludes that Corelink's system must also be within the limit because it is even less expensive than QI's system. The structure of the argument can be summarized as follows:

Premise: QI's system is within the cost limit.

Premise: Corelink's system is less expensive than QI's system.

Conclusion: Corelink's system is within the cost limit.

The question type is Parallel, which means we're looking for an answer choice that has reasoning that closely parallels the reasoning in the passage.

Now let's discuss each answer choice:

a) Marissa is just tall enough that she can touch the ceiling when she jumps as high as she can, and since Jeff is taller than Marissa, he too must be able to touch the ceiling when he jumps.

This answer choice might seem similar to the passage, but there's a subtle difference. The passage's argument is based on the fact that Corelink's system is less expensive than QI's system, which is within the cost limit. In this answer choice, Jeff being taller than Marissa doesn't guarantee that he can touch the ceiling when he jumps, as it could be influenced by other factors like jumping ability. Therefore, this answer choice doesn't perfectly parallel the passage's argument.

b) By reducing the number of cigarettes she smoked per day, Kate was able to run five miles, and since Lana smokes fewer cigarettes per day than Kate now does, she too must be able to run five miles.

This answer choice doesn't parallel the passage's argument because it introduces the idea of reducing the number of cigarettes smoked, which doesn't match the passage's focus on cost limits. Additionally, it assumes that Lana's ability to run five miles is solely based on her smoking fewer cigarettes than Kate, which may not be true.

c) John's blood-alcohol level was far above the legal limit for driving, so even if it turns out that Paul's blood-alcohol level was lower than John's, it too must have been above the legal limit.

This answer choice doesn't parallel the passage's argument because it introduces uncertainty with the phrase "even if it turns out." The passage's argument is more certain about the relationship between QI's and Corelink's systems.

d) This chocolate is not quite dark enough for it to be the kind that Luis really likes, but that chocolate over there is darker, so it might be just right.

This answer choice doesn't parallel the passage's argument because it talks about personal preferences rather than cost limits. Additionally, the conclusion is uncertain, using the word "might," which doesn't match the passage's more certain conclusion.

e) Health Dairy's sharp cheddar cheese is low enough in fat to meet the labeling standard for "low fat" cheddar cheese, and since its mild cheddar cheese is even lower in fat, it too must meet the labeling standard.

This answer choice closely parallels the passage's argument. It has a similar structure:

Premise: Health Dairy's sharp cheddar cheese meets the labeling standard for "low fat."

Premise: Health Dairy's mild cheddar cheese has even lower fat content than its sharp cheddar cheese.

Conclusion: Health Dairy's mild cheddar cheese meets the labeling standard for "low fat."

Both the passage and this answer choice have a similar reasoning process, where one thing is within a certain limit, and another thing is even more so, leading to the conclusion that the second thing must also be within the limit. Therefore, the correct answer is E.