Flawed ReasoningDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Because we can't stop the rain that causes mosquitoes to breed, the author concludes we have no way to lower the risk of the brain disease those mosquitoes carry.
Conclusion: Humans are incapable of reducing the threat of encephalitis.
Reasoning: Rainfall increases the mosquito population and disease threat, and since humans cannot control the weather, they cannot control the disease.
Analysis: The argument suffers from a major 'omission of alternatives' flaw. It assumes that because we cannot control the primary cause (the weather), we are helpless against the entire chain of events. This ignores the fact that humans can intervene at other stages, such as using insecticides, wearing protective clothing, or developing medical treatments. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to consider that the threat can be mitigated through means other than weather control.
Conclusion: Humans are incapable of reducing the threat of encephalitis.
Reasoning: Rainfall increases the mosquito population and disease threat, and since humans cannot control the weather, they cannot control the disease.
Analysis: The argument suffers from a major 'omission of alternatives' flaw. It assumes that because we cannot control the primary cause (the weather), we are helpless against the entire chain of events. This ignores the fact that humans can intervene at other stages, such as using insecticides, wearing protective clothing, or developing medical treatments. Look for an answer that identifies this failure to consider that the threat can be mitigated through means other than weather control.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage17.The reasoning in the argument above is flawed in that the argument
Correct Answer
C
Correct. The argument ignores the possibility that the threat of encephalitis depends on factors beyond weather (e.g., mosquito control or human exposure), so the inability to change weather does not entail the inability to decrease the threat.
Upgrade Your Prep
Ready to go beyond free explanations?
LSAT Perfection is the #1 modern LSAT prep platform, trusted by thousands of students for comprehensive test strategies, advanced drilling, and full analytics on every PrepTest.
Detailed explanations for 59 PrepTests
Advanced drillset builder
Personalized analytics
Built-in Wrong Answer Journal