Comprehensive LSAT Practice
Examination: Advanced Logical
Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, and
Reading Comprehension for High-Score
Aspirants a well detailed practice exam
2025/2026 graded A+ well written !!!
Section I: Logical Reasoning (Questions 1-85)
1. Economist: Some argue that raising the minimum wage inevitably leads to job losses.
However, this view is overly simplistic. In cities where the minimum wage was increased, local
businesses reported higher employee retention and increased consumer spending, which offset
the higher labor costs. Therefore, raising the minimum wage does not necessarily cause
unemployment.
The reasoning in the economist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism because it:
A) Fails to account for the possibility that the cities studied had unique economic conditions
that are not representative.
B) Confuses a necessary condition for a sufficient condition.
C) Uses a circular definition of "minimum wage."
,D) Presumes that business owners will not automate jobs in response to wage increases.
E) Relies on an ambiguity in the term "unemployment."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The argument uses evidence from specific cities to make a general conclusion.
Choice A correctly identifies a potential flaw: the sample may be unrepresentative. The
argument is an inductive generalization, and if the sample is skewed, the conclusion is
weakened.
2. Biologist: All mammals are warm-blooded. Some warm-blooded animals are not native to
this continent. Therefore, some mammals are not native to this continent.
The reasoning in the argument is:
A) Valid
B) Invalid because the middle term is undistributed.
C) Invalid because the conclusion is a negative statement.
D) Invalid because it commits the fallacy of the undistributed middle.
E) Invalid because it affirms the consequent.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The argument is a categorical syllogism. The middle term is "warm-blooded animals."
In the second premise, it is undistributed (it's the predicate of an "Some...are not..." statement).
Therefore, the conclusion does not logically follow.
3. Politician: The proposed tax cut for corporations will stimulate economic growth. We saw
similar growth in the 1990s after a corporate tax cut was enacted.
The politician's argument is most strengthened by which of the following?
A) The economic conditions in the 1990s were significantly different from today.
B) The tax cut in the 1990s was followed by a period of technological innovation that also
contributed to growth.
C) Economic experts agree that tax cuts generally benefit the middle class.
D) No significant economic policy changes occurred simultaneously with the 1990s tax cut that
could have accounted for the growth.
E) The proposed tax cut is larger than the one enacted in the 1990s.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This is a causal argument based on an analogy. To strengthen it, we must eliminate
alternative causes. Choice D does this by stating that no other major policies were
implemented, making the tax cut the most likely cause of the 1990s growth, thus strengthening
the analogy.
,4. Environmentalist: Recycling programs are essential for reducing landfill waste. However, they
are not the most effective method. Incineration plants that generate energy from waste reduce
waste volume by 90% and produce electricity, making them superior.
The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?
A) Recycling programs do not reduce waste volume as effectively as incineration.
B) The primary goal of waste management is to reduce volume.
C) The energy produced by incineration is as clean as solar energy.
D) Incineration plants are cheaper to build than recycling facilities.
E) People will be willing to separate their waste for incineration.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The conclusion is that incineration is "superior" because it reduces volume more and
produces energy. This assumes that these are the relevant criteria for superiority. Choice B is a
necessary assumption.
5. Art critic: The new museum's architecture is universally praised. Critics who say it is
aesthetically displeasing are simply trying to be contrarian. Since the public and most critics
admire it, it is a masterpiece of design.
The flaw in the critic's reasoning is:
A) Mistaking personal opinion for objective truth.
B) Ad hominem attack on the minority of critics.
C) Equivocation on the term "masterpiece."
D) Argumentum ad populum (appeal to popularity).
E) Hasty generalization based on a small sample.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The critic argues the building is a masterpiece merely because it is popular. This is an
appeal to popularity, which is a fallacy because popularity does not equate to objective quality
or truth.
6. If the defendant is found guilty, then he will be sentenced to prison. The defendant was not
found guilty. Therefore, he will not be sentenced to prison.
This argument is an example of:
A) Modus Ponens
B) Modus Tollens
C) Denying the Antecedent
D) Affirming the Consequent
E) Hypothetical Syllogism
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The logical structure is: If P then Q. Not P. Therefore, not Q. This is the fallacy of
Denying the Antecedent.
7. A recent study found that countries with stricter gun control laws have lower rates of
violent crime. Therefore, implementing stricter gun control laws in the United States will
reduce violent crime.
The argument's strength depends most on which of the following?
A) The United States has a higher rate of gun ownership than most countries.
B) The countries in the study are culturally and socially similar to the United States.
C) Violent crime is primarily committed with firearms.
D) The study was conducted over a long period.
E) Gun control laws are popular among Americans.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The argument uses a comparison (analogy) with other countries. For the conclusion
about the US to be valid, the countries in the study must be comparable to the US. Choice B is a
necessary assumption for the analogy to hold.
**8. Some philosophers believe that free will is an illusion. If all our choices are predetermined
by prior events, then we cannot be held morally responsible for our actions.
The statement above logically implies which of the following if we accept that people are
morally responsible for their actions?
A) Some philosophers do not believe in free will.
B) Not all our choices are predetermined by prior events.
C) We can be held morally responsible for predetermined actions.
D) Free will and determinism are compatible.
E) Moral responsibility is an illusion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The original statement is: If predeterminism (P) then not moral responsibility (Q). If
we accept the negation of Q (people are morally responsible), we can use Modus Tollens. Not Q
implies Not P. Therefore, not all choices are predetermined.
9. Sociologist: The decline in union membership has led to a rise in income inequality. This is
because unions historically bargained for higher wages and better benefits for workers.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the sociologist's argument?
A) Income inequality has also risen in countries with high union membership.
B) The rise in income inequality is correlated with the rise of the service sector.
Examination: Advanced Logical
Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, and
Reading Comprehension for High-Score
Aspirants a well detailed practice exam
2025/2026 graded A+ well written !!!
Section I: Logical Reasoning (Questions 1-85)
1. Economist: Some argue that raising the minimum wage inevitably leads to job losses.
However, this view is overly simplistic. In cities where the minimum wage was increased, local
businesses reported higher employee retention and increased consumer spending, which offset
the higher labor costs. Therefore, raising the minimum wage does not necessarily cause
unemployment.
The reasoning in the economist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism because it:
A) Fails to account for the possibility that the cities studied had unique economic conditions
that are not representative.
B) Confuses a necessary condition for a sufficient condition.
C) Uses a circular definition of "minimum wage."
,D) Presumes that business owners will not automate jobs in response to wage increases.
E) Relies on an ambiguity in the term "unemployment."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The argument uses evidence from specific cities to make a general conclusion.
Choice A correctly identifies a potential flaw: the sample may be unrepresentative. The
argument is an inductive generalization, and if the sample is skewed, the conclusion is
weakened.
2. Biologist: All mammals are warm-blooded. Some warm-blooded animals are not native to
this continent. Therefore, some mammals are not native to this continent.
The reasoning in the argument is:
A) Valid
B) Invalid because the middle term is undistributed.
C) Invalid because the conclusion is a negative statement.
D) Invalid because it commits the fallacy of the undistributed middle.
E) Invalid because it affirms the consequent.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The argument is a categorical syllogism. The middle term is "warm-blooded animals."
In the second premise, it is undistributed (it's the predicate of an "Some...are not..." statement).
Therefore, the conclusion does not logically follow.
3. Politician: The proposed tax cut for corporations will stimulate economic growth. We saw
similar growth in the 1990s after a corporate tax cut was enacted.
The politician's argument is most strengthened by which of the following?
A) The economic conditions in the 1990s were significantly different from today.
B) The tax cut in the 1990s was followed by a period of technological innovation that also
contributed to growth.
C) Economic experts agree that tax cuts generally benefit the middle class.
D) No significant economic policy changes occurred simultaneously with the 1990s tax cut that
could have accounted for the growth.
E) The proposed tax cut is larger than the one enacted in the 1990s.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This is a causal argument based on an analogy. To strengthen it, we must eliminate
alternative causes. Choice D does this by stating that no other major policies were
implemented, making the tax cut the most likely cause of the 1990s growth, thus strengthening
the analogy.
,4. Environmentalist: Recycling programs are essential for reducing landfill waste. However, they
are not the most effective method. Incineration plants that generate energy from waste reduce
waste volume by 90% and produce electricity, making them superior.
The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?
A) Recycling programs do not reduce waste volume as effectively as incineration.
B) The primary goal of waste management is to reduce volume.
C) The energy produced by incineration is as clean as solar energy.
D) Incineration plants are cheaper to build than recycling facilities.
E) People will be willing to separate their waste for incineration.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The conclusion is that incineration is "superior" because it reduces volume more and
produces energy. This assumes that these are the relevant criteria for superiority. Choice B is a
necessary assumption.
5. Art critic: The new museum's architecture is universally praised. Critics who say it is
aesthetically displeasing are simply trying to be contrarian. Since the public and most critics
admire it, it is a masterpiece of design.
The flaw in the critic's reasoning is:
A) Mistaking personal opinion for objective truth.
B) Ad hominem attack on the minority of critics.
C) Equivocation on the term "masterpiece."
D) Argumentum ad populum (appeal to popularity).
E) Hasty generalization based on a small sample.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The critic argues the building is a masterpiece merely because it is popular. This is an
appeal to popularity, which is a fallacy because popularity does not equate to objective quality
or truth.
6. If the defendant is found guilty, then he will be sentenced to prison. The defendant was not
found guilty. Therefore, he will not be sentenced to prison.
This argument is an example of:
A) Modus Ponens
B) Modus Tollens
C) Denying the Antecedent
D) Affirming the Consequent
E) Hypothetical Syllogism
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The logical structure is: If P then Q. Not P. Therefore, not Q. This is the fallacy of
Denying the Antecedent.
7. A recent study found that countries with stricter gun control laws have lower rates of
violent crime. Therefore, implementing stricter gun control laws in the United States will
reduce violent crime.
The argument's strength depends most on which of the following?
A) The United States has a higher rate of gun ownership than most countries.
B) The countries in the study are culturally and socially similar to the United States.
C) Violent crime is primarily committed with firearms.
D) The study was conducted over a long period.
E) Gun control laws are popular among Americans.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The argument uses a comparison (analogy) with other countries. For the conclusion
about the US to be valid, the countries in the study must be comparable to the US. Choice B is a
necessary assumption for the analogy to hold.
**8. Some philosophers believe that free will is an illusion. If all our choices are predetermined
by prior events, then we cannot be held morally responsible for our actions.
The statement above logically implies which of the following if we accept that people are
morally responsible for their actions?
A) Some philosophers do not believe in free will.
B) Not all our choices are predetermined by prior events.
C) We can be held morally responsible for predetermined actions.
D) Free will and determinism are compatible.
E) Moral responsibility is an illusion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The original statement is: If predeterminism (P) then not moral responsibility (Q). If
we accept the negation of Q (people are morally responsible), we can use Modus Tollens. Not Q
implies Not P. Therefore, not all choices are predetermined.
9. Sociologist: The decline in union membership has led to a rise in income inequality. This is
because unions historically bargained for higher wages and better benefits for workers.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the sociologist's argument?
A) Income inequality has also risen in countries with high union membership.
B) The rise in income inequality is correlated with the rise of the service sector.
