#8 - Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world

[Aleksandrovna]

Good morning,

I seem to be constantly confused by the necessary vs sufficient conditions. I was wondering if it was possible to get an explanation (question 8 in section 3 in the September 1995 test) as to why B) If there are only reasonable people, there cannot be progress, is correct instead of option C) which to me is more correct than B). I'm getting scared....the lsat is in a month

Thank you!

[Steve Stein]

Hi,

In that one, the question requires you to find the answer choice that Must Be True based on the information in the stimulus. The author's conclusion is that all progress depends on unreasonable people. In other words, if we want progress, unreasonable people are necessary:

Progress Unreasonable People

Answer choice C has it backwards, with the claim that unreasonable people guarantee progress:

Unreasonable People Progress

This is a mistaken reversal of the author's conclusion.

I hope that's helpful--let me know whether it's clear.

Thanks!

~Steve

On another note, how have you been preparing for the Logical Reasoning section of the test?

[Aleksandrovna]

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your quick response. I think I understand the essence but I feel that under test conditions I will be too nervous to actually draw out all these logical conclusions in my head.

As for the preparation, I have gone through the Powerscore books and have been writing tests mostly just taking them apart slowly and a few under real test conditions. My concern is that no matter if I take the questions apart slowly or have time constraints (I've gotten pretty good at maintaining good speed and solving everything on time) I seem to get the same number of questions incorrectly. So my problem is not time, rather accuracy. If you have any suggestions as to how I can improve on the accuracy, I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, except for the Parallel Reasoning there seems to be no pattern as to which type of questions I consistently get wrong. I'm just starting to feel that I'm simply unable to write this and that makes me more nervous and anxious.... basically I have trouble dealing with stress regarding this test I think

Thanks for your help!

[Steve Stein]

Hi,

Thanks for your response--which PowerScore books have you gone through? (we have quite a few books on LSAT prep). Once I know what you've already done, I'll be better able to advise you.

Thanks!

~Steve

[Aleksandrovna]

Hi Steve,

I've gone through the Logical Reasoning bible, Logic games bible and workbook, and reading comprehension (this one not so much) all the latest editions

[Steve Stein]

Hi Aleksandrovna,

First of all, it seems like you have a great foundation, based on the books that you've already gone through. Considering that you've also gone through a number of practice tests, I'd be surprised if you hadn't already noticed some trends. For example, are there any question types that you find particularly straightforward?

One more question: have you seen recurring themes in the types of stimulus that you find most challenging, and the types that you find more straightforward?


~Steve

[Aleksandrovna]

hmmm.... yes, what you said makes a lot of sense. I will definitely practice some sections without timing.

Thank you very much for your help and time!

[zwiedman]

This comes from Sept 95 LR III section, question #8 about reasonable people.

(B) the correct answer:

If there are only reasonable people, there cannot be progress

How did they get this?
I diagrammed as follows:
P: Reasonable--->Adapt to world
P: Unreasonalbe---->World adapts to them
C: Unreasonable people--->All progress

(not progress)--->reasonable
but the correct answer choice places progress as the necessary condition. How am I diagramming this wrong? Does the "only" in the correct answer function as a indicator or a qualifier? Please help.

[Steve Stein]

Hi Zwiedman,

Sometimes it's helpful to think about why those are called sufficient and necessary.

Take another look at the conclusion: All progress depends on unreasonable people.

So, if there is to be progress, what is the absolute necessity? Unreasonable people. Progress depends on unreasonable people:

Progress unreasonable people

What's the contrapositive?

NO unreasonable people NO progress

This could potentially be tricky enough--now they rephrase the reference to "NO unreasonable people." What's another way to say that? "ONLY reasonable people"!

In other words, in a world of only reasonable people, there are no unreasonable people, which means that there can be no progress.

Tricky--let me know whether this is clear--thanks!

~Steve