Practice Quiz

LSAT

Category - Logical Reasoning

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Amy: “It is a proven fact that wind can provide a more reliable source of energy than fossil fuels. Dr. Malcolm Wolf recently produced a paper explaining that there is essentially unlimited potential for wind power.”

Zack: “That claim cannot be correct. Dr. Wolf was found to have fabricated another study about solar power, and so his opinions cannot be trusted.”

Zack’s argument against Amy’s assertions is most vulnerable to criticism because it
  1. Tries to show Amy's conclusions are more extreme and outrageous than they really are.
  2. Tries to claim that because Dr. Wolf has done bad research in the past, then he must be intentionally lying and therefore can’t be trusted.
  3. Tries to claim that because Dr. Wolf has been wrong about other things in the past, then he must be wrong this time as well.
  4. Assumes, without providing justification, that Amy is unable to properly understand the findings of the study she cites.
  5. Assumes, without providing justification, that Amy misinterpreted the findings of the study, and the truth is really the opposite of what she thinks.
Explanation
Answer: C - Zack’s argument against Amy is most vulnerable to criticism because it tries to claim that because Dr. Wolf has been wrong about other things in the past, then he must be wrong this time as well. While Dr. Wolf’s mistakes in the past certainly cast doubt on his current work, this does not prove his current work faulty and make Dr. Wolf wrong, as claimed by Zack.
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