PrepTest 131, Section 3, Question 6
A recent magazine editorial criticizes psychologists for not(47 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(14 more words not shown)
- AConstruction companies have(34 more words not shown)
- BUtility companies have(32 more words not shown)
- CThe food industry(28 more words not shown)
- DThe school system(27 more words not shown)
- ECEOs of large(28 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
The editorial wants psychologists to establish the order in which brain areas activate. That is different from identifying which areas become active. Imagine one area lighting up, then another, then a third. The task is to determine that sequence.
The passage says current technology cannot detect the order. If psychologists lack a way to determine it, criticizing them for not attempting the task seems unfair. We might be curious about why the sequence matters, but its possible value doesn't make the required technology available.
What we’re looking for
For the principle question, look for the same justification: someone is criticized for failing to do something, but the criticism is unfair because the available means cannot accomplish it. A good reason for choosing not to do something is not necessarily the same as being unable to do it.
Working the answers
- A
Construction companies could use more insulation layers; the answer says better technology makes those layers unnecessary. That defends their choice by showing they can accomplish the goal with less material. The original defends a failure to undertake a task because the technology to accomplish it does not exist.
- BCorrect
The companies are criticized for not using fusion to supply the nation's electricity. Yet the available means cannot produce enough electricity for even one small town, much less the nation. Like the psychologists, they are being criticized for failing to do something the technology cannot accomplish. That is the same reason for calling the criticism unfair.
- C
The food industry is criticized for doing something: attempting to preserve food with radiation. The defense points to a benefit, cheaper food, if preservation succeeds. That differs from defending someone criticized for not attempting a task that cannot be accomplished. C has neither the same criticized conduct nor the same defense.
- D
Adding computer studies would require giving up another subject. That is a tradeoff, not an inability to add computer studies at all. The original does not defend the psychologists by saying their work would crowd out another worthwhile project; it says the necessary technology is unavailable.
- E
Economic theory might be irrelevant to some decisions, which could explain why a CEO chooses not to use it every time. But being unhelpful is different from being technically impossible. The original's defense rests on inability to perform the criticized task, not on the task's lack of usefulness.
More Must Be True questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Must Be True questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.