LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Logical ReasoningMedium
A recent city initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion encouraged commuters to use public transportation by offering discounted fares. After six months, traffic congestion remained unchanged. A city planner concluded that the initiative was a complete failure. Which of the following, if true, most strongly suggests that the city planner's conclusion is unwarranted?
- AThe discounted fares were not widely publicized to the general public.
- BDuring the six-month period, the city's population grew significantly, adding more commuters.
- CMany commuters who switched to public transportation found it to be more convenient.
- DA similar initiative in a neighboring city successfully reduced traffic congestion.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. During the six-month period, the city's population grew significantly, adding more commuters.
If the city's population grew significantly, leading to more commuters, then the fact that congestion remained unchanged implies that the initiative actually prevented congestion from *worsening*. In this context, 'unchanged' would actually represent a success relative to what would have happened otherwise, making the 'complete failure' conclusion unwarranted.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Poor publicity would explain *why* the initiative failed, but doesn't challenge the conclusion that it *did* fail to reduce congestion.
- C. Commuter convenience is a benefit of public transport, but doesn't challenge the conclusion that traffic congestion *itself* wasn't reduced.
- D. The success in another city doesn't invalidate the failure (or perceived failure) in *this* city; it might suggest different conditions or implementation.
Unwarranted Conclusion
An unwarranted conclusion is one that does not logically follow from the evidence or premises provided, often due to faulty reasoning, overlooked factors, or a misinterpretation of data.
- The conclusion is stronger than the premises support.
- Often ignores alternative explanations.
- May involve a logical leap.
Memory trick: Does the evidence truly earn the conclusion's embrace?