#10 - Local, Could Be True

[Dave Killoran]

Complete Question Explanation
(The complete setup for this game can be found here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=5761)

The correct answer choice is (A)

If G learns exactly two languages, those languages must be Swahili and Tigrinya:

pt28_j99_g2_q10.png

Since H will then learn Swahili, Tigrinya, and Yoruba, due to the rule that limits a researcher to learning at most three languages, it follows that H cannot learn Rundi, and only P or L can learn Rundi. Answer choice (A) is thus correct.

[ubrjames]

I chose the correct answer, but I still don't understand why C can't be correct.

The stimulus states that the researchers will learn at least one and at most three OR four languages. So, why can't the historian learn Rundi? It doesn't seem to be violating the stimulus or the rules. Am I missing a numerical distribution inference here?

R: H/L/P
S: G H
T: G H
Y: H L P

[Jonathan Evans]

Hi, James,

Good question. This is one that tests a specific outcome of the restriction added in this local question. With the geologist learning exactly two of the languages, the geologist must learn both Swahili and Tigrinya (since the geologist cannot learn Yoruba—the historian, linguist, and paleontologist must learn Yoruba and not the geologist, and since the geologist cannot learn Rundi—exactly one researcher learns Rundi and every language the geologist learns the historian must learn as well). This takes us to the implication that makes answer choice C impossible. With the geologist learning exactly two languages, both Swahili and Tigrinya, the historian learns those as well. The historian also learns Yoruba. Therefore, the historian has learned all three of his languages already and cannot also learn Rundi. I hope this helps.

[Jonathan Evans]

James, I recently responded to another question on this game and did a detailed diagram of the setup, rules, and deductions. You can see my work here:

lsat/viewtopic.php?f=306&t=5761&p=29025#p29025

All the best,

Jonathan

[ubrjames]

Hi, James,

Good question. This is one that tests a specific outcome of the restriction added in this local question. With the geologist learning exactly two of the languages, the geologist must learn both Swahili and Tigrinya (since the geologist cannot learn Yoruba—the historian, linguist, and paleontologist must learn Yoruba and not the geologist, and since the geologist cannot learn Rundi—exactly one researcher learns Rundi and every language the geologist learns the historian must learn as well). This takes us to the implication that makes answer choice C impossible. With the geologist learning exactly two languages, both Swahili and Tigrinya, the historian learns those as well. The historian also learns Yoruba. Therefore, the historian has learned all three of his languages already and cannot also learn Rundi. I hope this helps.

Ah, I see! I didn't see that inference while working through the problem so quickly. That definitely makes sense! Thank you.