LSAT Explanation PT 43, S3, Q6: Antonia: The stock market is the

LSAT Question Stem

Antonia's and Maria's statements provide the most support for holding that they disagree about whether 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Disagree question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument presented in the passage. Antonia and Maria are discussing their opinions on investment options. Antonia believes that the stock market is the best place to invest money due to the potential for large profits quickly, despite its volatility. Maria agrees that the stock market has the potential for large profits quickly but points out the risk of huge losses. She prefers investing in savings bonds, which provide a constant, reliable income over many years. The structure of the argument includes two premises from each speaker and one conclusion each. Antonia's conclusion is that the stock market is the best investment option, while Maria's conclusion is that savings bonds are the better investment option.

An accessible example to understand this argument could be a choice between gambling at a casino (stock market) or putting your money in a piggy bank (savings bonds). Gambling at a casino could lead to big wins quickly, but also big losses, whereas putting your money in a piggy bank ensures a slow and steady accumulation of savings.

Now, let's discuss the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Point at Issue (Disagree) question, which asks us to identify the point on which Antonia and Maria disagree.

Here are explanations for each answer choice:

a) Both Antonia and Maria agree that the stock market is often volatile and provides the opportunity to make a large profit quickly. So, they do not disagree on this point, and this answer choice is incorrect.

b) Maria suggests that savings bonds provide a constant, reliable income, but she does not necessarily claim that they provide a large return on investment. Antonia does not mention savings bonds at all. Therefore, we cannot determine their positions on this point, and this answer choice is incorrect.

c) Neither Antonia nor Maria believe that the stock market provides a constant, reliable income over many years. They both acknowledge its volatility, so they do not disagree on this point. This answer choice is incorrect.

d) Maria would likely agree that it is safer to invest in savings bonds than the stock market, but Antonia's position on this statement is unclear since she does not mention savings bonds. We cannot determine if they disagree on this point, so this answer choice is incorrect.

e) This answer choice correctly identifies the point on which Antonia and Maria disagree. Maria believes that it is preferable to pick an investment offering a reliable income (savings bonds) over a riskier opportunity to make a large profit quickly (stock market). Antonia, on the other hand, believes that the best investment is the stock market due to its potential for large profits quickly, despite its risks. This is the only answer choice that passes the Agree/Disagree Test and is the correct answer.