Circular Linearity Discussion P473-475- Questions Answer Key

[Dave Killoran]

Circular Linearity Mini-Drill Answer Key
The original drill questions can be found at: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=13836


1. This is a Global, Could Be True, List question. The correct answer is (C)

• In this List question, start by applying each rule to all five answer choices. Start with the CD rule and the FG rule since those two are the easiest to visually identify within each answer. then apply the AB rule:
  
  • Answer choice (A) can be eliminated since it violates the third rule (FG non-consecutive).
    Answer choice (B) can be eliminated since it violates the second rule (CD consecutive).
    Answer choice (C) conforms to all of the rules and is the correct answer.
    Answer choice (D) can be eliminated since it violates the first rule (A and B opposite).
    Answer choice (E) can be eliminated F appears twice and E does not appear, violating the stipulation that each of the listed students is seated.

2. This is a Local, Cannot Be True question. The correct answer is (B)

• This is the most difficult question of this min-drill. The AB rule essentially divides the table into two halves, with three open seats on each "side." The CD block ends up on one side of the table, leaving just three possible position for D. When D is seated in the middle of the three seats, C must be seated between D and then either A or B, and thus C cannot be seated next to H in this instance.
  
  When D is seated next to A or B, then C is in the middle seat. There is one open seat next to C, and two open seats next to each other on the opposite side. The three remaining students to be seated are F, G, and H. Because of the third rule, F and G cannot both be on the same side, and thus one of them must be seated next to C. Thus, H and the reminder of F and G are seated next to each other on the opposite side of C. Consequently, C can never be seated next to H, and since this is true for all scenarios, answer choice (B) can never occur and is correct.
  
  If this problem is still confusing after you read the explanation above, one way to test the correct answer is to plug in the scenario in answer choice (B) into a hypothetical. From there, you will find that you cannot create a workable solution.

3. This is a Local, Must Be True question. The correct answer is (D)

• There are different ways to solve this problem, but one way to see that D must occur is that since C and D are seated next to each other, when E is seated opposite of C, then there is no way for D and E to be near each other; they are on opposite sides of the table.

4. This is a Local, Could Be True question. The correct answer is (D)

• The question stem adds an EF block to the original rules. When this occurs, you can immediately make several deductions. First, the AB rule essentially divides the table into two halves, with three open seats on each "side." The CD block must go on one of these sides, and the new EF block must go on the other side. Thus, the CD and EF blocks cannot be adjacent, which means that members of each block cannot sit next to members of the other block. This means that answer choice (A), (B), and (C) can never occur, and thus can be eliminated.
  
  Because the CD and EF blocks each occupy two of the three open spaces on each side, there is only one space available on each side, leaving G and H to occupy these single spaces. Thus, G and H can never sit next to each other, and therefore answer choice (E) can be eliminated.
  
  The remaining answer choice is (D), which can occur when E sits in the center seat on one of the sides, with F on one side of E, and G on the other side of E. The CD block and H sit on the opposite side of the table.

Questions? Please post them below (and feel free to make up any questions of your own for the drill as well!).