LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Analytical ReasoningMedium
A group of six students—Javier, Kenji, Lena, Maya, Noah, and Olivia—are presenting their research papers at a symposium. Each student presents exactly once. The presentation order must adhere to the following conditions: 1. Olivia presents immediately before Lena. 2. Kenji presents either first or last. 3. Noah presents sometime after Maya. 4. Javier presents after Lena but before Maya. Which of the following could be the correct order of presentations, from first to last?
- AJavier, Olivia, Lena, Maya, Noah, Kenji
- BKenji, Olivia, Lena, Javier, Maya, Noah
- CMaya, Olivia, Lena, Javier, Noah, Kenji
- DOlivia, Lena, Javier, Maya, Noah, Kenji
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Kenji, Olivia, Lena, Javier, Maya, Noah
Let's check each condition for option A: Kenji is first (condition 2 satisfied). Olivia is immediately before Lena (condition 1 satisfied). Javier is after Lena but before Maya (condition 4 satisfied). Noah is after Maya (condition 3 satisfied). All conditions are met.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Olivia presents immediately before Lena. In this option, Olivia presents after Lena, violating condition 1.
- C. Javier presents after Lena but before Maya. In this option, Javier presents after Maya, violating condition 4.
- D. Javier presents after Lena. In this option, Javier presents immediately after Lena, but Noah presents after Maya. Condition 4 states Javier presents before Maya, which is violated here as Maya presents after Javier.
Ordering Rules
Rules that dictate the sequence or relative positions of elements in a set.
- Elements must be arranged in a specific sequence.
- Rules can be absolute (e.g., 'first' or 'last') or relative (e.g., 'before' or 'after').
- Conditional statements are common.
Memory trick: Sequential Steps Ensure Logical Flow.