#20 - Politician: Homelessness is a serious social problem

[smackmartine]

Q type training - Page 194, Q1 Method AP

Till now, I have solved Q1-6 and saw a pattern how the statement's role is dependent on either statement immediately above it or statement immediately below it. However, In GMAT reasoning bible we are asked to concentrate on conclusion for possible roles. For Method AP, is there any difference between approach one should apply on GMAT and that of LSAT ?

I stumbled over Q1.
I don't understand how C is correct answer? Is it because the politician commented that Homelessness is a serious problem is followed by "BUT" ?

[Steve Stein]

The approach should be the same whether you see this question on the LSAT or on the GMAT. On the one you asked about, the question is about the role played by the claim that homelessness is a serious problem. Correct answer choice (C) provides that the claim is compatible with accepting or denying the author's conclusion, which is about the reasons behind the homelessness problem. In other words, you could be a strong believer that homelessness is a serious problem, whether you agreed with the assertion that it was attributable to the lack of available housing or not.

[paytonkharris]

[Question removed due to LSAC copyrights. The question was from PrepTest 3, December 1991 LSAT, LR2 (Section 4), Question #20. "Politician: Homelessness is a serious social problem..."]

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Payton,

Thanks for the question! I'm going to remove the question content and leave just the question stem, because LSAC copyrights don't allow the questions to be posted like this. Regardless, you've given me more than enough info to answer your question

The question stem does two things. First, it identifies a part of the argument ("That homelessness is a serous social problem..."). Second, it asks what role that pat of the argument plays in the argument ("...figures in the argument in which one of the following ways?"). Thus, this is a Method of Reasoning-Argument Part question.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[Arindom]

Hi Dave,

Could you explain what is the concept for Method of Reasoning-Argument Part? What is the best way to identify it, if any?

Thanks!

- Arindom

[Claire Horan]

Hi Arindom,

The idea behind Method of Reasoning-Argument Part questions is that you are being asked to identify how the different parts of the argument work structurally. You will be asked what function or role a given sentence plays in a particular argument. Answer choices will involve whether the particular sentence is a premise, an intermediary/subsidiary conclusion, the main conclusion, background information, etc.

Please let me know if you have additional questions!

-Claire

[Arindom]

Hi Claire,

Got it! Thanks. So, for this specific question when the correct ans choice says that it is compatible either with accepting or denying the conclusion - what is the best way to understand/approach this type of an answer choice since I have seen this answer in several other questions?

Thanks.

- Arindom

[Emily Haney-Caron]

Hi Arindom,

Good question! This one is actually pretty straight-forward, even though it sounds complicated. What that means is that the statement is sort of a preliminary premise, neither supporting nor contradicting the argument, but instead providing beginning information. Does that help?

[Arindom]

Thank you, Emily! Your response is really helpful.

- Arindom

[Johnclem]

Hello,
I got this question right , but for the life of me I cannot figure out the conclusion.


1- Further government spending to provide low income housing is not a cure for homelessness
2- no lack of available units.

c: so the frequent claim that people are homeless because of a lack of available housing is wrong .


Or is it ...


1- no lack of available units.
2- the frequent claim that people are homeless because of a lack of available housing is wrong.

Further government spending to provide low income housing is not the cure for homelessness.


Thanks
John