Role of a Statement
Help Questions
LSAT Logical Reasoning › Role of a Statement
The role of the statement "Thus, the city should implement car-free Sundays." is to:
state the argument's main conclusion
present a hypothesis the author later rejects
acknowledge an opposing view
provide historical background about Riverton
offer an example illustrating a general principle
Explanation
It is the author's ultimate recommendation. The other choices mischaracterize it as background, a rejected hypothesis, a concession, or an example.
Although many believe that eating organic food is healthier, studies have shown that there is little nutritional difference between organic and conventionally grown produce. The statement that organic food is perceived as healthier plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
It serves as a counterexample to the argument.
It states the argument's main conclusion.
It provides evidence for the argument's conclusion.
It introduces a common belief that the argument challenges.
It presents an unrelated topic.
Explanation
The argument's structure begins by acknowledging a widespread belief about organic food being healthier, then challenges this belief with scientific evidence showing little nutritional difference. The statement about people believing organic food is healthier introduces the common assumption that the argument will then refute with evidence. This creates a 'many believe X, but studies show Y' pattern where the initial belief sets up the target for the argument's contradiction. Choice B is tempting because the statement does provide information, but its specific role is to establish the belief that will be challenged rather than support the argument's ultimate conclusion. Look for phrases like 'many believe,' 'it is commonly thought,' or 'people assume' that signal when a statement introduces a view the argument will challenge.
While some argue that technological advancements lead to job displacement, it is essential to recognize that such advancements also create new job opportunities and markets. The statement that technological advancements create new job opportunities plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
It provides evidence for the main conclusion.
It summarizes the argument's central thesis.
It serves as a counterpoint to the claim about job displacement.
It describes the main conclusion of the argument.
It offers a potential drawback of technological advancements.
Explanation
The argument follows a classic 'while some argue X, it's important to recognize Y' structure, where the main point is that technological advancement concerns should be balanced against their benefits. The statement about job creation serves as a direct counterpoint to the job displacement worry mentioned at the beginning. Rather than simply providing evidence for a conclusion, this statement specifically functions to offset or counter the initial concern about job losses. Choice B is tempting because the statement does provide information, but its specific role is to counterbalance rather than merely support a separate conclusion. Look for structural indicators like 'while,' 'although,' and 'it is essential to recognize' that signal when a statement is serving as a counterpoint rather than straightforward evidence.
A parent argues that the school should start classes later. Teenagers’ circadian rhythms tend to shift later, making early mornings especially difficult for them. At the same time, the school has seen an increase in first-period tardiness and students falling asleep in class. Some administrators worry that later start times would interfere with after-school sports, but practices could simply be shortened slightly. Therefore, the school should start classes later. Which one of the following best describes the role played by the statement that teenagers’ circadian rhythms tend to shift later?
It offers a definition of what counts as “tardiness.”
It reports a specific observation that is treated as the only evidence for change.
It states the argument’s ultimate conclusion.
It provides a general explanatory claim supporting the link between early starts and student difficulties.
It is a concession that undermines the proposal by emphasizing sports schedules.
Explanation
The parent's conclusion is that the school should start classes later. The statement about teenagers' circadian rhythms provides a general biological principle that explains why early morning classes are particularly problematic for teenage students. This scientific fact supports the connection between early start times and the observed problems (tardiness, sleepiness) and justifies the proposed solution. Answer choice (C) is tempting because this seems important, but the conclusion is the specific recommendation about start times, not the general principle about circadian rhythms. General explanatory principles in arguments typically provide the theoretical foundation for specific recommendations rather than being the main point themselves.
A commuter argues that the transit authority should add more trains during rush hour. Platforms are routinely overcrowded, and trains often arrive already full, leaving many riders waiting for the next one. The authority says it cannot add service because of staffing limits, but it recently spent money on a promotional campaign aimed at increasing ridership. If it is trying to attract more riders, it must also provide the capacity to carry them. Therefore, the authority should add more trains during rush hour. Which one of the following best describes the role played by the statement that it recently spent money on a promotional campaign aimed at increasing ridership?
It states the conclusion that more trains should be added.
It defines what counts as “rush hour” for purposes of the argument.
It provides direct evidence that adding trains would reduce promotional spending.
It offers a concession that staffing limits are unavoidable.
It provides a fact used to highlight an inconsistency in the authority’s priorities.
Explanation
The commuter's conclusion is that the authority should add more trains during rush hour. The statement about spending money on promotional campaigns highlights an inconsistency in the authority's priorities—they're trying to attract more riders while claiming they can't provide adequate service due to staffing limits. This contradiction undermines the authority's excuse and strengthens the case for adding trains. Answer choice (B) is tempting because the statement relates to the conclusion, but it's used as evidence of inconsistent priorities rather than stating the conclusion itself. When identifying inconsistencies in arguments, look for facts that show someone's actions contradict their stated limitations or principles.
A professor claims that allowing laptops in class harms learning. She notes that students who used laptops in her lecture scored lower on the final exam than students who did not. She also points out that many laptop users were seen browsing social media during class. Therefore, banning laptops will raise exam scores in that course. The statement that many laptop users were seen browsing social media during class plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
It states the main conclusion that laptops should be banned.
It offers evidence that students who did not use laptops studied more hours.
It presents a general principle about the relationship between technology and education.
It provides a possible explanation for the lower exam scores among laptop users.
It concedes that some laptop use is necessary for taking accurate notes.
Explanation
The professor's argument concludes that banning laptops will raise exam scores, based on the observed correlation between laptop use and lower performance. The statement that many laptop users were seen browsing social media functions as a possible explanation for the lower scores, suggesting distraction as a causal mechanism that supports banning them. Choice A accurately captures this role by identifying it as an explanatory premise linking usage to poor outcomes. A frequent error is selecting B, which mistakes it for the main conclusion, but it's actually supportive evidence rather than the final recommendation. Always verify a statement's role by seeing if it explains a phenomenon mentioned earlier, a pattern that aids in dissecting arguments efficiently on test day.
A homeowner argues that installing a smart thermostat will lower her energy bills. Her current thermostat is manual, and she often forgets to turn the heat down before leaving for work. Smart thermostats can automatically reduce heating when no one is home, and her utility charges higher rates during peak hours. Even if the device costs money upfront, the monthly savings will eventually exceed that cost. Therefore, installing a smart thermostat will lower her energy bills overall. The statement that she often forgets to turn the heat down before leaving for work plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
It states the conclusion that the thermostat will lower bills overall.
It defines what counts as “peak hours” for the utility.
It provides a premise indicating a current inefficiency that the proposed device could address.
It offers a concession that smart thermostats cannot change energy use.
It presents evidence that utility rates will soon decrease.
Explanation
The homeowner's conclusion is that installing a smart thermostat will lower her energy bills overall. The statement about forgetting to turn down the heat identifies a current inefficiency that the smart device could address. By showing there's wasted energy under the current system, this establishes how automation could create savings and supports the economic argument for the device. Answer choice (B) is tempting because the statement relates to the conclusion about bills, but it identifies the current problem rather than stating the predicted solution. When analyzing efficiency arguments, look for statements that identify current waste or suboptimal behavior that new technology could improve.
The role of the statement "Thus, calorie counts on menus should be mandatory" is to:
State the main conclusion the argument seeks to establish.
Present a premise reporting health outcomes.
State an objection raised by restaurants.
Provide background information about restaurants' marketing strategies.
Offer a subsidiary conclusion used to justify the hospital reports.
Explanation
The final sentence is the author's recommendation, the main conclusion. The other options misidentify it as background, a premise, or an objection.
The role of the statement 'Some people insist that any caffeine is harmful, claiming it inevitably disrupts sleep.' is to
Present a position the author intends to dispute.
Provide the argument's overall conclusion.
Offer evidence that morning caffeine improves sleep quality.
Acknowledge a limitation in the cited research.
State a definition of caffeine's physiological effects.
Explanation
It introduces the opposing view that the author challenges. It is not the author's conclusion, a definition, supporting evidence, or a limitation.
A homeowner concludes that her water heater is failing. The hot water runs out much faster than it used to, and the heater makes a rumbling sound during operation. Also, the unit is 14 years old, which is older than the manufacturer’s stated average lifespan. The plumber says sediment buildup can cause rumbling and reduced capacity, and that buildup is common in older units. So the heater is likely failing and should be replaced soon. Which one of the following best describes the role played by the statement that the unit is 14 years old?
It states the conclusion that the other statements are offered to support.
It presents an alternative explanation meant to weaken the conclusion about failure.
It supplies a premise suggesting the heater is beyond the period in which it typically functions well.
It defines what counts as a “failing” heater for purposes of the argument.
It draws an inference from the plumber’s claim about sediment buildup.
Explanation
The homeowner's conclusion is that the water heater is failing. The statement about the unit being 14 years old provides evidence that the heater has exceeded its expected operational lifespan, making failure more likely. This age-related premise supports the conclusion by establishing that the heater is in the time period when failure typically occurs. Combined with the symptoms (reduced capacity and rumbling), the age factor strengthens the case for replacement. Answer choice (C) is tempting because the age fact might seem like the main point, but the conclusion is specifically that the heater "is failing," not just that it's old. Look for explicit conclusion indicators and distinguish between supporting premises and the ultimate claim they support.